Lagos Pastor sentenced to life imprisonment for raping church member

Pastor Feyi Daniels, the founder of iReign Christian Ministry in Lagos, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence court for the rape of a female church member.

The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, delivered the verdict on Friday, condemning the cleric to spend the remainder of his life at the Kirikiri custodial facility in Lagos.

The court found Feyi Daniels guilty of rape and sexual assault based on the compelling evidence presented by a 19-year-old church member and a 23-year-old pastor assistant. Judge Oshodi, in his ruling, criticized Daniels for his lack of regard for the truth and labeled him a liar.

During the trial, the defendant took to the witness box in his own defense, asserting that three out of the four women who accused him of sexual assault had conspired against him.

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However, the prosecution’s lead counsel, Babajide Boye, presented evidence suggesting that Daniels had a personal relationship with the women in question. Boye alleged that the defendant had provided counseling, financial assistance, and other forms of support to the accusers.

Despite Daniels’ denial of the allegations and his claim of innocence, the court refuted his defense. The judge questioned why all the accusations made by the women were of a sexual nature, to which Daniels replied that he did not know.

Boye further accused Daniels of manipulating individuals who sought his counsel, exploiting his position as a pastor. Daniels vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that he was not a manipulator but a pastor who guided without using his power to control others.

As the cross-examination continued, the prosecutor sought to introduce four statements allegedly written by Daniels while in police custody. The defense counsel objected to the admissibility of the statements, arguing that they were obtained under duress and that Daniels had not voluntarily made them. However, Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the documents, citing the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State (2021).

The conviction of Feyi Daniels and his subsequent life sentence highlights the seriousness with which the court addresses cases of sexual assault. The judgment serves as a strong message that perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of their status or positions within society.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh