The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has handed down a life sentence to Lagos Bishop Oluwafeyiropo Daniels for the heinous crime of raping his 23-year-old assistant, whose identity is being withheld. The court, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi, also sentenced Daniels, the Bishop of I Reign Christian Ministry in Lagos, to three years in prison for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old member of the church, constituting the third count in the four-count charge.
Justice Oshodi affirmed that the prosecution successfully demonstrated the essential elements of the two offenses, emphasizing that Daniels exhibited a blatant disregard for truth and branded him a liar. Notably, Daniels was acquitted on the second count, which pertained to the rape of another church member whose identity remains undisclosed. The judge concluded that there was an element of consent in this particular case.
Furthermore, Daniels was also acquitted on the fourth count, which charged him with attempted rape of another church member. The court’s decision hinged on an evaluation of the evidence presented, with Justice Oshodi determining that the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in this particular instance.
The charges brought against Daniels included an amended four-count charge encompassing rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault. Rape, as per Section 260(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, formed the crux of the allegations.
This high-profile case has brought attention to issues of sexual misconduct within religious institutions, prompting discussions about the need for stringent measures to ensure justice for victims and accountability for those in positions of authority. The court’s decision serves as a significant step toward addressing such egregious violations and upholding the rights and dignity of survivors.