COZA: CAN Dissociates Self from Purported Solidarity Visit

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has dissociated itself from a purported solidarity visit to Commonwealth of Zion Assembly.

In a statement issued on Monday by the National Diretor of Legal and Public Affairs, Evangelist Barrister Kwamkur Samuel Vondip, CAN said that the purported solidarity visit report and video clip did not emanate from CAN. He said that those who did so did it on their own saying that the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has already constituted a panel that is investigating the allegation of rape against the Senior Pastor of COZA, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.

The statement reads in part:

“The attention of the President of CAN, Rev. Dr. Samson O. A. Ayokunle has been called to a report and a video clip going round that Christian Association of Nigeria has sent her officials to Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) Church to stand by the Senior Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo on the rape allegation against him.

“This message is to categorically inform the Christian leaders, the general public and all lovers of truth that CAN or the President of CAN did not approve and knows nothing about such a solidarity visit. Those who did so did it on their own. We stand by our earlier release on this issue that while we would never support any act of immorality from whatever quarter, we would not jump into passing judgement without thorough investigation of the matter.”

The statement noted that, “The President of CAN is in communication with the President of the Pentecostal Fa ellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude and has given the right to investigate the allegations to PFN and then revert to CAN. We can tell you that  PFN has already constituted a panel that is investigating this matter and in less than two weeks, the outcome of the investigation will come out. We urge all our Christian brothers and sisters to know that this is the position of CAN. We would not spare anyone who is found wanting from facing appropriate disciplinary measures.”

CAN appreciate the prayers and support of the Christians and all peace loving Nigerians for the Church and the nation.

A former member of COZA and wife to a popular musician, Bisola Dakolo had alleged that Pastor Fatoyinbo raped her about twenty years ago when she was sixteen years old.