Absence of witness stalls pastor’s defilement trial

The ongoing trial of a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor, Emmanuel Orekoya for alleged defilement of his 17-year-old daughter was stalled yesterday following absence of prosecution witnesses.

Orekoya was arraigned on February 27 before Justice Abiola Soladoye of a Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja for allegedly defiling his daughter.

He was arraigned on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration and he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant sometime in 2017 on Jacob Adeleye Street, Odoeran in Itire, Lagos, defiled her daughter by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

He was alleged to have sexually assaulted her daughter by inserting fingers into her vagina and also inserting penis into her mouth.

His offences contravened the provision of Sections 127 and 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

At the resumed proceeding, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Olusola Soneye apologised to the court and the defendant’s counsel for the absence of the witnesses.

He told the court that the prosecution had listed three witnesses to testify against the defendant in the suit.

He informed the court that the witnesses had promised him to be in court when he reached out to them.

He, therefore, asked for a short adjournment date, which was not opposed by defendant’s counsel.Consequently, Justice Soladoye adjourned to June 5 for trial.