Pastor Feyi Daniels
The Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja has handed a life sentence to Bishop Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, a clergyman, for the conviction of raping a pastor within his church, “I Reign Christian Ministry,” in June 2020.
Today, January 26, Justice Rahman Oshodi, presiding over the case, delivered the judgment. The judge expressed confidence in the complainant’s testimony and other witnesses who provided uncontradicted direct evidence throughout the trial, despite the defendant’s denials.
The court affirmed that the prosecution successfully established all elements of rape under section 260(2) of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2015.
However, Justice Oshodi acquitted the clergyman of the second count related to an alleged rape of another church member at his home in 2020. The court concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the use of force, fear of harm by the complainant, and misrepresentation by the defendant, thus not meeting the standard of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in the offense of rape.
As part of the sentence, the court ordered the convict’s inclusion in the Lagos State sex offenders register and directed that the cleric serve his prison term at the Nigeria Correctional Center, specifically at the Kirikiri Maximum Facility where he is presently detained.
In the judge’s words, the cleric exploited his dominant character and position to sexually violate two members of his church. The judge emphasized the severity of the offense, stating that rape mandates a life imprisonment sentence, while sexual assault incurs a three-year jail term, which, however, cannot mitigate the harm caused to the victims.