Pastor remanded in custody for alleged rape of five church members in Kwara

A Kwara State High Court has remanded Pastor Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka (48) in custody for the alleged rape of five female church members in Ilorin.

Olayinka, a pastor of the Land of Joy Ministry in Ganmo, appeared in court before Justice Funsho Lawal.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) informed the court that a certain Miss Joy Godfrey reported the case to the NSCDC, which led to the arrest of the accused.

According to the indictment, the investigation revealed that Miss Joy, a co-tenant of the pastor and a member of the church, was tricked into entering a house and violently raped with the threat of covering up the crime by cursing with the Bible.

The indictment states, among other things: “You have since sexually harassed the victim, who was 17 at the time, and had sexual intercourse with her. She claimed that you had abandoned her and that the baby had survived the affair.”

“You also allegedly raped and sexually assaulted four other victims: Faith Musa, Praise Sunday and Mrs. Owolabi Oluwatoyin, as well as the sister of a certain Mrs. Oni, who claimed that you impregnated her and gave her abortion pills that almost ended her life.”

When the question of jurisdiction arose, the court granted defence counsel Bar Obaro permission to apply for bail, arguing that the crimes against his client were staged.

Prosecutor Barr Abdullahi Beki opposed bail due to the frequency of the crimes and in the interest of justice for the victims and society.

The case was adjourned for decision and the accused was remanded in custody.