Lagos Pastor Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Church Member Rape

The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence court handed down a life sentence to Feyi Daniels, founder of iReign Christian Ministry, for the rape and sexual assault of a church member. The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, found the Lagos-based cleric guilty of these charges.

During the trial, Daniels, who took the stand in his defense, claimed that three out of the four women accusing him of assault conspired against him. However, the prosecution, led by Babajide Boye, aimed to establish a “personal relationship” between the Bishop and the accusers. Boye alleged financial assistance, counseling, and leadership roles within the ministry.

Despite the accusations, Daniels denied any wrongdoing and refuted the notion that he used his pastoral position to manipulate those seeking counsel. The prosecutor confronted Daniels about his alleged influence, to which the Bishop responded, “I am not a powerful man; I am a pastor. I do not use power to counsel people; I am not a manipulator.”

In a surprising turn of events, the court admitted statements purportedly written by Daniels while in police custody, despite objections from the defense. Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled in favor of admissibility, citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State (2021). The judge noted that while the presence of a video testimony is desirable, it is not compulsory.

This verdict marks a significant development in the case, highlighting the complex legal battle surrounding the accusations against the founder of iReign Christian Ministry.