Kemisola Oye
FOR allegedly raping two of his church members (names withheld), a pastor, Daniel Oluwafeyiropo was earlier today arraigned before a Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court.
Olawafeyiropo was arraigned before Justice Ramon Oshodi on a two-count charge of rape brought against him by the state government.
The founder of ‘I Reign Ministry’ allegedly committed the offences sometime in June 2020 at Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
His offence is said to contravene sections 260 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea of not guilty and deferment of ruling on his bail application, the judge ordered his remand in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
In his bail application argued by his counsel, Mr. Olukunle Oyewole, he urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.
Oyewole moved that the defendant had been on police administrative bail since 20th May 2022 and had made himself available to the police.
He told the court that the defendant was not informed on the day the matter came up for the first time before the court, adding that the defendant is a well-known religious leader and has shown by his action that he will not jump bail.
In his words, “the offence for which the defendant is charged is bailable and he has credible sureties that can stand for him.”
The lead state counsel, Mr. Babjide Boye, in his counter affidavit, urged the court to refuse the bail application of the defendant.
Mr. Boye noted that the offence was serious and the likelihood of conviction might put the defendant on the flight.
“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.”
He, therefore, prayed the court to deny the defendant bail because he has failed to provide the court with exceptional circumstances to grant him bail.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20 million with two sureties in like sum.
He ordered that one of the sureties must be the owner of a build-up property in Lagos State and the property must be enough to cover the bail sum.
“The original document of the landed property must be submitted to the Chief Registrar of Lagos State.
“The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must have three years’ tax payment to Lagos State,” the court ruled.
The judge further ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the Chief Registrar of the court and ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.
He subsequently adjourned the case to 9th May 2023 for trial.
Eighteen-Eleven Media