Pastor Allegedly Rapes Church Member’s Daughter In Ile Ife

By Sodiq Lawal

A Nigerian pastor has landed in serious trouble after he was dragged to court for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a 16-year-old girl.

The Pastor at Chosen Family Ministry, Fayegbami,  Ile-ife,  Mr Tosin Odeyemi was allegedly assaulted the little girl, Jolayemi Babalola,  by inserting his fingers in her private part severally around March 2017, and went further to forcefully have sex with her.

The pastor was said to have warned  the lad not to  reveal what transpired between them to anyone,  threatening that she would die if she does.

According to the mother of the victim, Mrs Elizabeth Babalola, who until late last year was a worker in the church, the alleged rape  experience made the young girl to severely suffer psychological trauma, as she became moody and ostracised.

“The pastor did what he did to my daughter knowing fully well that I don’t have anybody,  he believed he could oppress me with impunity.

“I did not discover the heinous act on time despite her sudden change in behaviour immediately the incident happened,  she became moody and started acting very strange.

“I thought  she will change when she got admission,  but that  did not happen until I was called that she slumped and passed out on campus one fateful day.

“It was when she was revived that she opened up that the pastor sexually abused her and threatened that she would die if anybody hears about it.

“This is indeed strange and unbecoming of a man who claimed to be a servant of God, I believe my daughter will get justice “, she said.

It was gathered that the case was brought to Magistrates’ court at Ile-ife on Wednesday, February 28,2018 for mention.

The State Counsel,  Mr Muyiwa Ogunleye said the accused was standing trial for a one-count charge of sexual assault, as the accused pleaded not guilty.

The defense counsel however reminded the court of a bail earlier granted the accused on the sum of N200,000 and a surety.

The Magistrate, Mrs Adejumoke Adeyinka-Olowolagba thereafter adjoined the case till March 28,2018 for hearing.