Kemisola Oye
THE trial of a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Emmanuel Orekoya, charged with defiling his 17-year-old daughter, was on Wednesday (today) stalled due to the absence of prosecution witnesses.
Pastor Orekoya was on 27 February arraigned before Justice Abiola Soladoye of a Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration.
The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
When the case was called, state counsel, Mr Olusola Soneye, informed the court that the prosecution had listed three witnesses to testify against the defendant.
Soneye, however, apologized to the court and the defence counsel for the absence of the witnesses.
According to him, he had reached out to the witnesses a day prior and they promised to make themselves available.
He, thereafter, prayed the court for a short adjournment to commence trial.
The defence counsel did not oppose the application of the prosecution.
The judge adjourned the case till 5th June 2024 for the commencement of trial.
The prosecution had alleged that Pastor Orekoya committed the offence sometime in 2017 on Jacob Adeleye Street, Odo-Eran in Itire, Lagos.
The prosecution told the court that the defendant allegedly defiled his daughter by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
The state also submitted that the defendant sexually assaulted his daughter by inserting fingers into her vagina and also inserting his penis into her mouth.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene sections 127 and 261 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Back in November 2022, a video that went viral purportedly showed the daughter of Pastor Orekoya Emanuel of RCCG Wisdom Tabernacle Parish, Lawason, Lagos, alleging that her biological father slept with her for over two years, with the knowledge of her mother.
Eighteen-Eleven Media