A cleric, Olatunde Alao, on Monday, appeared before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, charged with negligence leading to the death of a six-year-old girl within his church premises.

Mr Alao, 63, whose residential address was not provided, is facing a charge of negligence, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp Sikiru Opaleye, alleged that the incident happened on December 27, 2025, at the defendant’s church premises in the Adogba area of Ibadan.

Mr Opaleye said the cleric negligently failed to cover a well on the church premises, and that one Ademide Adewale, aged six years, fell into it.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 344 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.

The defence counsel, Femi Kasumu, applied for bail on liberal terms for his client.

The chief magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.

She said one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant.

Ms Ogunkanmi thereafter adjourned the matter until March 11 for a hearing.

(NAN)