By Tony O'Riley-
A well known Nigerian pastor based in Abuja, Nigeria, accused of rape has been allowed back to the pulpit, just one month after taking a “leave of absence” due to the allegation.
Biodun Fatoyinbo, who founded the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (Coza) in Abuja, was accused on 28 June by celebrity photographer Busola Dakolo of raping her twice when she was a teenager. Busola is the wife of popular musician, Timi Dakolo, 20 years ago when she was a teenager.
The level of agitation over his return has led to a number of angry women in Abuja writing to the police to complain about his return to the church, where they argue he is capable of committing further crimes.
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Criticism of the decision for his return has been widespread on social media, but one staff member of Fatoyinmba’s church who refused to give a formal comment told this publication we should wait until the outcome of the probe.
One 26 year old female engineering graduate from Abuja Funmi Adesanya, a close friend of a BBC journalist in Nigeria told The Eye Of Media.Com :
”Only in Nigeria can this happen. How can a pastor accused of rape be allowed back to preach in the Church. This is disgraceful. I know some people will say ”innocent until proven guilty”, but this man has not even made a credible attempt to prove his innocence.
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It may be difficult to prove his guilt for rape committed 20 years ago, but Bill Cosby has jailed for sexual assaults committed longer than 20 years ago. The Nigerian police need to quickly publicise the progress of their investigations. He would not have stepped down if he was innocent, now he is talking rubbish about Christians facing persecution”.
Nigerian police are investigating the case, but the pastor’s return to the pulpit has sparked uproar. Efforts today to get a response from Cops probing the case were fruitless, but a follow up is scheduled for later in the week. Fatoyinbo announced leave of absence on 1 July after protesters at branches of the church called for him to step down.
Ms Dakoba made the allegation of rape in a video that went viral on social media, with some saying it has triggered Nigeria’s #MeToo moment.
HARDSHIP
In a time of economic hardship in a country festering in corruption, the Church has long been a refuge for many disillusioned Nigerians. Pastors who exploit the vulnerability of desperate women in need of a life transformation are reportedly not in short supply, but allegations of rape by a pastor is not a common occurrence, according to some of our sources in Abuja.
Image:bbc.co.uk
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