General News
Alleged Rape: Lagos Court Grants Bishop Daniel Bail Of N20m
The Lagos State Government has arraigned the founder of I Reign Christian Ministry, Bishop Oluwafeyiropo Daniel for allegedly raping two of his church members (names withheld).
He was arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly committed the offences sometime in June 2020 in Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos, and the offences contravene Sections 260 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The clergyman pleaded not guilty to the charge against him and his counsel, Olukunle Oyewole subsequently asked the court to grant him bail.
While moving the arguments for bail, the defence counsel urged the court to grant bail to the defendant on liberal terms.
Oyewole argued that the defendant had been on police administrative bail since May 20, 2022, and had made himself available to the police.
“My lord, the defendant was not informed on the day the matter came up for the first time before this court.
“The defendant is a well-known religious leader and he has shown by his actions that he will not jump bail.
“The offence for which he is charged is a bailable offence and he has credible sureties that can stand for him,” the lawyer said.
The lead prosecution counsel for the state, Mr Babajide Boye, had however urged the court to refuse the bail application of the defendant.
Boye argued that the offence was a serious one and that the likelihood of conviction might put the defendant at flight risk.
“There is also the possibility of the defendant interfering 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.
“We urge the court to deny the defendant bail because he has failed to provide the court exceptional circumstances to grant him bail,” the prosecutor submitted.
After listening to both parties, Justice Oshodi admitted the clergyman to bail in the sum of N20 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
He said one of the sureties must be the owner of a landed property in Lagos State and the property must be enough to cover the bail sum.
“The original document of the landed property must also be submitted to the chief registrar of Lagos State,” the court held.
Other conditions of bail include that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must have paid three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The judge also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the chief registrar of the court while ordering an accelerated hearing of the case.
Pending the perfection of these bail conditions, the court ordered the remand of a clergyman at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre
Justice Rahman then adjourned till May 9 for trial.
Before Monday’s arraignment, legal advice issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins disclosed that, “after a consideration of the facts available in the duplicate case file, the office of the DPP 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.”
Excerpts of the legal advice also said, “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 where he had young people as Pastors and Assistant Pastors.
“It is also revealed that Oluwafeyiropo Daniel invites the branch pastors and assistants to his house from time for one reason or the other.
“The Complainant was an assistant Pastor at the Akungba branch who Oluwafeyiropo Daniel took advantage of whenever she visits his Ikota residence. It is revealed that Oluwafeyiropo Daniel having presented himself as his victim’s spiritual father whom they must be loyal to and must never hide anything from him including their body lures the complainant and his other victims into having sexual intercourse with him.
“Although Oluwafeyiropo Daniel denied all allegations and states that he had never at any time assaulted the complainant or any of his other victims, the evidence of the victims in the duplicate case file is cogent, direct and unequivocal and is sufficient evidence against Oluwafeyiropo Daniel.
“In the light of the foregoing, this office shall prosecute Oluwafeyiropo Daniel for the offence of Rape under Sections 260 of the Criminal Law, Cap C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”
…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.
In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”
Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.
The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).
“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, has called on political leaders to prioritize the welfare of citizens.
During a recent church service in Abuja, Ndukuba noted that many Nigerians are struggling with challenges brought on by the global economic downturn. He urged state and local governments to implement new initiatives to lessen the impact on their communities.
The Primate also stressed that the federal government must effectively monitor its programs to ensure that Nigerians fully benefit from the nation’s democratic gains. He argued that if the current administration can effectively tackle corruption, the country would significantly benefit from the economic policies of President Tinubu’s government.
Ndukuba concluded by asking the congregation to continue praying for those in authority, remain committed to national unity, and show love and support for the less privileged. He also tasked the newly inducted members of the Church Mothers’ Guild with aggressively spreading the gospel.
Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, has expressed deep concern about the current situation in Nigeria.
Enenche stated that the nation is under an evil spell due to the economic hardship affecting the country. He described Nigeria as being covered by a “blanket of sorcery and darkness,” leading many citizens to endure poverty and hardship in silence.
“There’s a blanket of sorcery and darkness over this nation—an evil spell making people tolerate what should provoke outrage,” he wrote.
In a post on his official X account on Thursday, the cleric highlighted the economic struggles faced by many Nigerians, noting that an increasing number of church members now line up after services not for spiritual counselling or prayer, but to help with basic needs such as rent, school fees, food, and medical bills.
“People are suffering. Pastors are exhausted. Members now queue after service not for prayer, but for assistance,” he lamented.
He also criticised political leaders for their insensitivity and failure to address the dire situation across the country.
“Yet, the leaders act as though nothing is wrong. This is not normal—it is witchcraft. It is a spell of patience in captivity, leading to a demonic tolerance of suffering.”
Calling for divine intervention, Enenche declared, “Let every evil spell over this land be broken! Let those misruling with arrogance and mocking the people’s pain face divine judgment. They shall not see the celebration of their wickedness.”
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