Founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Prophet Babatunde Alfa, on Tuesday told an Ondo State High Court how he used security and prayers to search for Gold Kolawole, a one- year- old boy, who went missing inside his church in November last year.

Gold is yet to be found.

Prophet Alfa was arrested and arraigned alongside six members of his church.

Alfa, who was testifying for himself during the resumed hearing the case in court, said the DSS searched his house and church but found nothing incriminating.

He stated he and his church ministers organised marathon prayers and fasting but the missing boy’s parent did not cooperate with him to find him through the proper channel.

He stated the right channel in an exhibit before the court was using prayers and security agencies to find the missing boy.

A video showing church members praying for the recovery of the boy was tendered by his Counsel, Olusola Oke which was accepted by the court.

During cross-examination by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Adekola Olawoye, Alfa said he never knew Gold’s parents until the incident though they claimed they had been attending his church since June 2019.

Personal Assistant to the Deji of Akure, Chief Taiwo Fagite, who testified as the fourth witness for Prophet Alfa, said the parents of missing Gold were not forthcoming after they reported the incident until there were made to swear an oath at the Deji’s palace alongside 14 teachers in the church.

Evangelist Funmilayo Ogunlusi, a cleric in the church, said they had a vigil the day the incident occurred and nine-day fasting and prayer was held for the recovery of the child.