By Evelyn Usman

LAGOS—There were indications, yesterday, that the stepmother of the two brothers who reportedly drowned during a spiritual bath in Ogombo area of Ajah, weekend, was arrested alongside a member of the New Cherubim and Seraphim Church.

However, the stepmother, Mrs Adenike Elegushi-Okokuku, was said to have been released same day, while police said they were still on the trail of Pastor Samuel Olusoji, who allegedly conducted the bath on the young men.

The deceased, Abiodun and Ayinde Oniru, and one of their stepbrothers, were reportedly taken to the New Cherubim and Seraphim Church by their father, Mr. Okokuku Oniru, and stepmother last Thursday for spiritual cleansing.

They reportedly remained in the church till the next day for a vigil.

However, at the close of service, Pastor Olusoji was said to have announced to the family that he was going to conduct a spiritual bath on the young men.

… their father left

But their father was said to have left, leaving his children with their stepmother, only to be called later that Abiodun and Ayinde had drowned.

Policemen from Ogombo Division stormed the church and arrested a member whose identity was not immediately ascertained, while the Pastor fled.

Also arrested was Mrs Elegushi-Okokuku, the step-mother, who was said to have been at the stream with the pastor.

But police sources hinted that members of her family came to secure her release.

Why stepmother

was released

Sources said: “Her husband sent some people to come and effect her release because she is pregnant.

“We had to grant her bail on that condition. But that is not to say that she has been exempted from the issue.

“Whenever we want any information, we would send for her. But as I said earlier, the corpses are at the morgue, where an autopsy would be carried on them to ascertain the exact cause of their death.

“We are yet to arrest the Pastor, who fled on sighting police officers.

“He can only run but cannot hide because the long arm of the law will definitely catch up with him.

“That is not to say that we are categorically indicting him. But we need him to help us with our investigation.”