26th January, 2024
By Ijeoma Popoola
A Lagos cleric, Oluwafeyiropo Daniel, popularly known as Bishop Feyi of I Reign Christian Ministry was on Friday jailed for life after he was found guilty of raping his assistant pastor.
While Bishop Feyi bagged life imprisonment for raping his 23-year-old assistant (name withheld), he was sentenced to three years in prison for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old member of the church (count three of the four-count charge).
Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the prosecution established the ingredients of the two rape allegations against Bishop Feyi.
He therefore ruled that the cleric should spend the rest of his life at the Kirikiri custodial facility, Lagos.
The Judge described Bishop Feyi as a liar and does not have any regard for truth.
The judge, however, discharged and acquitted him on count two of the charge, which is the rape of another member of the church (name withheld).
Oshodi held that there was an element of consent from the church member.
The judge also discharged and acquitted Daniels on count four of the charge, which is attempted rape of a member of the church.
The Court had reserved judgment on January 11 after the conclusion of the hearing of the allegations against the Bishop.
Bishop Feyi was charged with raping his assistant pastor and one other (names withheld) and attempted rape of one other alleged survivor (name withheld).
He allegedly committed the offence sometime in June 2020, at Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 260 (2), 262 and 263 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
But he pleaded not guilty to the amended four-count charge bordering on rape, sexual assault and attempted rape.
The defence counsel, Mr Fola Awonusi, in his final written address on January 11 urged the court to discharge and acquit Bishop Feyi.
The lawyer said documents presented before the court showed malice and financial gains on the part of the alleged survivors.
According to him, there are contradictions in the evidences given by the prosecution witnesses.
He urged the court to discount the evidence of the prosecution witness and acquit the defendant.
But the state counsel, Mr Babajide Boye, however, urged the court to convict Bishop Feyi accordingly.
Boye, in his final written address, argued that there was evidence of a struggle, adding that Bishop Feyi forced himself on the alleged survivors.
He said the contradictions, which the defence argued about were immaterial.
Boye said: “In line with our argument, we urge the court to convict the defendant of the four-count charge.
“We have established sexual assault and attempted rape.
“We urge the court to convict the defendant accordingly.”
*UPDATED
NAN