Bishop who raped pastor absent in court, arraignment stalled
The absence of the founder of ‘I Reign Christian Ministry,’ Ikota, Lekki, Bishop Oluwafeyiropo Daniel stalled his arraignment for the alleged rape of a church member before an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court.
The Nation reported that Bishop Daniel was to face charges bordering on rape before Justice Ramon Oshodi.
It was learnt that when the registrar of the court called his case file, the defendant was absent in court.
The Prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Inumidun Solarin, told the court that the defendant was granted administrative bail by the Police at Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Solarin informed the court that the prosecution told the Police of the hearing date.
She said they were informed by one ASP Yemi that when they got to the address he gave them at Alagbon, they were informed that the defendant was not at the address.
However, the prosecution told the court that they had information that Bishop Oluwafeyiropo Daniel was in Abuja and had a church function on Monday.
Solarin prayed the court to grant a new date to open the case against the defendant.
She also informed the court of the readiness of the prosecution to inform the police of the new trial date for the defendant.
Justice Oshodi granted the request for the prosecution and adjourned till April 17.
A bit of legal advice by the office of the Director, Department of Public Prosecutions dated March 13 ” is of the view that there exists prima facie offence of rape under Section 260 of the Criminal Law, Ch C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 against the suspect, Oluwafeyiropo Daniel.
“Facts from the duplicate case file reveal that the suspect, Oluwafeyiropo Daniel, is a pastor and the founder of I Reign Christian Ministry; that he had a church branch in Akungba Akoko in Ondo State, where he had young people as pastors and assistants pastors. It is also revealed that Oluwafeyiropo Daniel invites the branch pastors and assistant to his house from time to time for one reason or the other.”
Bishop who raped pastor absent in court, arraignment stalled
