The Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja has sentenced a clergyman, Bishop Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, to life in prison for the offence of raping a pastor in his church, “I Reign Christian Ministry” in June 2020.
Delivering judgment in the case today January 26, the presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, said he believed the testimony of the complainant as well as other witnesses who gave direct evidence which weren’t contradicted at any point during the trial, despite the denials of the defendant.
The court also held that the prosecution had successfully proven all the ingredients of rape under section 260(2) of the criminal laws of Lagos state, 2015.
Justice Oshodi however discharged the clergyman of the second count of allegedly raping another church member at his home in 2020.
The court said the prosecution failed to prove the elements of the use of force, fear of harm by the complainant and misrepresentation by the defendant to establish guilt in the offence of rape beyond all reasonable doubt.
The court ordered that the convict’s name be Registered in the Lagos state sex offenders register. The court also ordered that the cleric serve his jail term at the Nigeria correctional center, at the kirikiri maximum facility where he is currently being detained.
In the words of the judge, the cleric used his dominant character and position to Sexual violate two members of his church.
“Rape carries a mandatory life imprisonment and sexual assault carries a jail term of three years, which can’t alleviate the harm on your victims.
