Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence court on Friday convicted and sentenced the founder of iReign Christian Ministry, Pastor Daniel Oluwafeyiropo, to life imprisonment for raping a church member.
Justice Oshodi jailed Oluwafeyiropo for the rest of his life after holding that the prosecution had proved the ingredients of rape and sexual assault as laid out in counts one and three of the charge against him beyond all reasonable doubt.
The prosecution team led by Babajide Boye had told the court that the convict allegedly committed the offences sometime in June 2020 at Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
Boye had also informed the court that the convict sexually assaulted one of his church members by forcefully sucking and touching her breast without her consent sometime in April 2021 at the church office in Ikeja.
The offences, he insisted, contravened sections 260 (2) and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses while the defence also called five witnesses, through whom various exhibits were tendered in evidence.
In his judgment, Justice Oshodi held that the cleric should spend the rest of his life at the Kirikiri custodial facility in Lagos.
The judge held that the evidence of the first prosecution witness was corroborated with that of the third witness.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted the convict of rape (count two of the charge) of another survivor (name withheld) on the ground that there was an element of consent.
He further discharged and acquitted him of attempted rape (count four of the charge) on another member of his church, aged 19-year-old girl (name withheld).
Justice stated that the convict, who had no regard for the truth, committed the offences using his dominant character and position as a clergy.
The judge held, “Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, I have convicted you of sexually violating two women who were members of your church.
“The first one, you raped ferociously and caused her so much pain.
“The second, you sexually assaulted using your dominant character and position as a clergy.
“These offences are grievous as rape attracts life imprisonment while sexual assault is punishable with three years imprisonment.’’
“Although the defence counsel,
Adebayo Adegbite urged the court to exercise its discretion in its sentencing; the Lagos State law, however, has a mandatory sentence for rape.
“Due to the seriousness and the ferocity of the attack on his victims, accordingly, I sentence you as follows
“On count one, I sentence you to life imprisonment.
“On count three, I sentence you to three years imprisonment, and you shall also serve your term in the maximum security custodial centre where you are currently being held,” Justice Oshodi held.
The judge further held that the sentencing should run concurrently and the convict’s name be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.
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