Assistant pastor narrates how Nigerian bishop raped her in Lagos

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court heard testimony from a 23-year-old assistant pastor on Tuesday about an alleged double rape by Daniel Oluwafeyiropo, a bishop at Reign Christian Ministry in Lekki.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the clergyman has entered a not-guilty plea to a three-count revised indictment that includes sexual assault and rape.

At the bishop's trial, the assistant pastor (name withheld) gave a witness statement for the prosecution.

Babajide Boye, the Lagos State attorney, brought her onto the witness stand.

She claimed in court that she worked for the bishop-founded 1 Reign Christian Ministry as an assistant pastor.

She claimed to have met the bishop on May 28, 2018, when a friend took her to a church event where he was the guest speaker in Akungba, Akoko, Ondo State.

She mentioned the show's "Strictly Supernatural" tagline.

She claims that after that she joined the church and advanced to the rank of assistant pastor.

She claimed that at that time, Pastor Toyosi Bamise was succeeded as Lead Pastor by Pastor Boluwatishe Oladejo.

The witness testified in court that the bishop, whom she considered to be her spiritual father, had violated her on June 21, 2020, at his home in Lekki, Lagos State's Ikota Villa Estate.

The witness said: “I was listening to Pastor Chris’ message when the bishop came to the three-seater chair I was sitting on and told me to go naked.

“For fear of what happened a day before, I went naked, and bishop locked the door, increased the television volume and went naked. He pinned me to the chair and raped me. He was bigger than me.”

The witness claimed she begged the bishop to leave her, but he refused.

“He threatened that I would run mad if I should tell anyone, so I was in the guest room till the following day. On June 22, I sent a message to Pastor Boluwatishe and informed him that I had been raped,” the alleged victim testified.

She also testified in court that after the first alleged rape, the bishop did not let her leave the residence.

“He sent the gateman anytime I needed anything. At this time, it was dawned on me that this man was a rapist.

“For my safety, I acted stupid and acted as if I did not tell anyone. I was in the room when he came again and said he wanted sex, but I refused.

“He was furious, so I told him I had tears from the previous sexual violation,” she testified.

The witness said that, on 23 June 2020, the bishop also told her he wanted sex with her.

“He said I should count it as a privilege that he had sex with me because many people would love to have sex with him.

“I told him I had someone I was dating.

“That same morning of 23 June, he removed my dress and raped me again in the sitting room.

“He told me I would die if I should tell anyone. I bled a second time because of the forceful entry,” she said.

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