Lagos court remands cleric over alleged sexual assault 

A Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, yesterday, remanded a pastor, Daniel Oluwafeyiropo, in Kirikiri Correctional Centre, pending perfection of his bail, for allegedly assaulting two of his church members sexually.

Olawafeyiropo was arraigned before Justice Ramon Oshodi on two-count charge of sexual assault brought against him by the state government.

The founder of ‘I Reign Ministry’ allegedly committed the offences sometime in June 2020 at Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

His offence contravened Sections 260 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.   He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea of not guilty, the judge ordered his remand in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.

Arguing his bail application, his counsel, Mr. Olukunle Oyewole, urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

Oyewole stated that the defendant had been on police administrative bail since May 20, 2022 and had made himself available to the police.

He told the court that the defendant was not informed on the day the matter came up for the first time before the court, adding that the defendant is a well-known religious leader and has shown by his action that he will not jump bail.

“The offence for which the defendant is charged with is a bailable offence, and he has credible sureties that can stand for him,” Oyewole submitted.

In his counter affidavit, the lead state counsel, Mr. Babjide Boye,  urged the court to refuse the bail application of the defendant.

Stressing that bail is at the court’s discretion, Boye noted that the defendant’s offences were serious and the likelihood of conviction might put the defendant at risk.

“There is also the possibility that the defendant will interfere with the prosecution witnesses. He is a bishop of so many branches and if granted bail,  he may use his position to influence the prosecution witnesses as he is regarded as a man of authority who has the possibility of committing the same crime,” he argued.

The counsel, therefore, prayed the court to deny the defendant bail because he has failed to provide the court exceptional circumstances to grant him bail.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi granted the defendant bail to the tune of N20 million , with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that one of the sureties must be owner of a build up property in Lagos State and the property must be enough to cover the bail sum.

The judge further ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the Chief Registrar of the court and ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.

He, subsequently, adjourned the case to May 9, 2023, for trial.