An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence court handed down a life sentence to Feyi Daniels, the founder of iReign Christian Ministry, for the rape of a church member.
The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, found the Lagos-based cleric guilty of rape and sexual assault against a female worshipper (name withheld), ordering him to spend the remainder of his life at the Kirikiri custodial facility in Lagos.
Oshodi ruled that the prosecution successfully proved the charges against him brought by a 19-year-old church member and 23-year-old assistant.
Previous reported that the Bishop, while testifying in his defense, claimed that he believed three out of the four women accusing him of sexual assault conspired against him.
Under cross-examination, the prosecution’s lead counsel, Babajide Boye, aimed to establish that Daniels had a ‘personal relationship’ with the four women.
Boye alleged that Daniels counseled one woman, gave N100,000 to another for hospital treatment, paid school fees for a third, and interacted with a fourth as a fellowship leader at Akungba-Akobo in Ondo State.
However, Daniels denied giving money to one woman for treatment, stating that she later apologized to him.
When questioned about the nature of the accusations, Daniels expressed uncertainty, denying using his position as a Pastor to manipulate those seeking counseling.
The prosecution presented four statements purportedly written by Daniels while in police custody last year, seeking their admission as evidence.
Defense counsel Adebayo Adegbite objected, arguing that the statements were not voluntary and signed under duress.
In his ruling, Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the documents, stating that their evidential value would be considered later. He overruled the defense’s objection.
