Court sentences Bishop to life imprisonement

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a Lagos bishop, Oluwafeyiropo Daniels to life imprisonment for raping his 23-year-old member of his Church (name withheld).

Justice Rahman Oshodi also sentenced the embattled bishop of “I Reign Christian Ministry” to three years imprisonment for sexually assaulting another member of his church, aged 19 years.

Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had established the ingredients of rape and sexual assault against (counts one and three) the convict, beyond a reasonable doubt.

He held that the cleric should spend the rest of his life at the Kirikiri custodial facility, in Lagos.

According to him, the evidence of the first prosecution witness was corroborated with that of the third witness.

He, however, discharged and acquitted him of rape (count two) of another survivor (name withheld) on the ground that there was an element of consent.

The judge also discharged and acquitted him of attempted rape (count four) on another member of his church, aged 19-year-old girl, (name withheld).

According to him, the convict who did not have regard for truth committed the offences by using his dominant character and position as a clergy.

He said “Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, have been convicted 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 offenses are grievous as rape attracts life imprisonment while sexual assault is punishable with three years imprisonment.”

The judge through the defense counsel, Mr
Adebayo Adegbite urged the court to use 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 center where you are currently being held,” he said.

Justice Oshodi said that the sentencing should run concurrently and the name of the convict be registered in the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.

The defense counsel, in his allocution, (plea for mercy) had prayed to the court to temper justice with mercy.

Adegbite told the court that the convict was a first-time offender with no previous charges.

He said the convict was a breadwinner of his family and urged the judge to use his direction in sentencing.

The state prosecution team, led by Mr Babajide Boye, however, urged the court to convict the bishop as charged.

The prosecution had called five witnesses while the defense also called five witnesses during the trial through whom various documents were tendered in evidence.

Mr Boye submitted that the convict rape his assistant pastor in his home in Ikota Villa Estate, sometime in June 2020.

He also said 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 contravene Section 260 (2) and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.