A pastor and legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, has been re-arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja over an allegation of indecent treatment of a child.

The defendant was re-arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on indecent treatment of a minor (girl) brought against him by the Lagos State government.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant committed the offence at the Iwaya area of Lagos by fondling the breast of a minor.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defendant’s counsel, Morenikeji Oyekunle, prayed the court to allow her client to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him by a Magistrate’s Court, noting that he was not a flight risk, being a legal practitioner.

The prosecuting counsel, Funmilola Aluko, opposed the bail plea.

However, Justice Oshodi upheld the earlier bail conditions and ordered the defence counsel to ensure the defendant’s appearance at every adjourned date.

Following the ruling, Ms Aluko informed the court that the complainant, now an adult, was present and ready to testify.

She recounted that in 2010, she moved in with the defendant’s family to improve her academic performance and her participation in the choir.

The witness alleged that the defendant later began to molest her sexually and physically while she lived with him. She narrated incidents of sexual assault and maltreatment, including being subjected to harsh punishment for poor academic results.

The witness said she later ran away from the defendant’s house and informed her parents.

She added that she finally reported the matter in 2023, after a similar incident involving another minor at the same church allegedly occurred.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, she said that she first confided in her class teacher, identified as Mrs Akingbeoyewa, about the alleged assault while still living with the defendant.

After the testimony, the defence sought an adjournment to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the witness’s evidence.

The prosecution objected, arguing that further delays could cause the witness emotional distress.

The judge granted the adjournment but invoked Section 193 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), awarding a cost of N50,000 in favour of the witness, payable by the defence before the next trial date.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the trial to December 9, 2025, for continuation.