Court Remands Church Founder In Prison For Raping Two Worshippers

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Monday remanded a clergyman, Daniel Oluwafeyiropo, for allegedly raping two of his church members (names withheld).

Justice Ramon Oshodi remanded the founder of “I Reign Christian Ministry” in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

Oshodi admitted the defendant to N20 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

He said one of the sureties must be the owner of a build-up property in Lagos State and the property must be enough to cover the bail sum.

“The original document of the landed property must be submitted to the chief registrar of Lagos State.

“The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must have three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State,” he said.

The judge also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the chief registrar of the court and ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.

Oshodi adjourned the case until May 9 for trial.

Earlier, the defence counsel, Mr Olukunle Oyewole, while moving his bail application dated April 10, urged the court to grant bail to the defendant on liberal terms.

Oyewole argued that the defendant had been on police administrative bail since May 20, 2023, and had made himself available to the police.

“My lord, the defendant was not informed on the day the matter came up for the first time before this court.

“The defendant is a well-known religious leader and he has shown by his action that he will not jump bail.

“The offence for which he is charged is a bailable offence and he has credible sureties that can stand for him,” he said.

Punch