Celestial Church Pastor says, I chained my son because he’s possessed with ‘stealing spirit’

Controversial Pastor of The Key Joy Celestial Church, Francis Taiwo, who chained his 9-year-old son for several weeks, has confessed the reasons behind his action.

According to Mr. Taiwo, who was arrested on Sunday after initially attempting to escape law enforcement authorities said he took the action because he believed his son was possessed with a ‘stealing spirit’.

‘I chained my son because I felt he is possessed and I’m not comfortable with his stealing habit,” a police source present during his interrogation quoted the suspect as saying. He also told officials that he married Korede’s mother who bore four children for him before their divorce in 2007.

He said the victim’s mother, Marine Taiwo, was from Delta State and that Korede’s siblings were not living with him. The 40-year-old suspect, who hails from Benin Republic, said he was born in Ota Town of Ogun State.

He said he rose to be a pastor in the Celestial Church, CCC, and was ordained in 2012. The Church has already distanced itself from the controversial pastor. “All we can say is that the man is not a registered – or recognized – pastor in the CCC,” a church official sent from the Lagos headquarters told journalists on Saturday.

According to a police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, Taiwo was said to be prosecuted once investigation is completed.