The founder of “I Reign Christian Ministry”, Lekki, Lagos, Bishop Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a female assistant pastor of his church (name withheld).
Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court also sentenced the 43-year-old bishop to three years imprisonment for sexually assaulting another member of his church aged 19 years.
Delivering judgment in the matter yesterday, the judge held that the prosecution has established the ingredients of rape and sexual assault against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The cleric should spend the rest of his life at the Kirikiri custodial facility,” the judge ordered.
According to him, the evidence of the first prosecution witness was corroborated with that of the third witness.
The judge, however, discharged and acquitted the bishop of rape of another survivor (name withheld) because there was an element of consent on her part.
The judge held that the convict had no regard for truth and that he committed the offences by using his dominant character and position as clergy.
“Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, you are hereby found guilty and convicted of sexually violating two women who were members of your church.
“The first one you raped ferociously and caused her so much pain.
“The second, you sexually assaulted using your dominant character and position as a clergy.
“These offences are grievous, as rape attracts life imprisonment while sexual assault is punishable with three years imprisonment.”
