- RCCG Pastor Accused of Fondling Minor’s Breasts Re-Arraigned
- The prosecution counsel, Funmilola Aluko, told the court that the defendant unlawfully assaulted the girl
- Justice Oshodi granted the adjournment but awarded a cost of ₦50,000 against the defence
A pastor and legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, was on Wednesday re-arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Akanni is also a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was re-arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a one-count charge of indecent treatment of a child.
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According to the prosecution, the defendant indecently assaulted the minor at Iwaya, Lagos, by fondling her breasts, an act that contravenes Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The prosecution counsel, Funmilola Aluko, told the court that the defendant unlawfully assaulted the girl while she was living with his family to improve her academic performance and participate in the church choir.
Akanni, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Defence counsel, Morenikeji Oyekunle, prayed the court to allow her client to remain on the bail earlier granted by a Magistrate’s Court, saying he had met all conditions and was not a flight risk, being both a lawyer and a clergyman.
However, Aluko opposed the plea, urging the court to review the bail conditions.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi upheld the existing bail terms and directed the defence to ensure the defendant’s presence at every adjourned date.
The prosecution then presented the complainant, now 27 years old, who testified that she met the defendant through her father, a member of the same church. She alleged that the pastor began sexually molesting and physically abusing her when she moved into his home in 2010.
She told the court that the abuse continued until she eventually ran away and reported the matter to her parents. She said she officially lodged a complaint in 2023, after learning of a similar case involving another minor in the same church.
Under cross-examination, the witness said she first confided in her class teacher, identified as Mrs. Akingbeoyewa, about the alleged abuse.
At the close of her testimony, the defence sought an adjournment to obtain a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the witness’s statement, a request opposed by the prosecution, who argued that further delays could cause emotional distress to the victim.
Justice Oshodi granted the adjournment but awarded a cost of ₦50,000 against the defence under Section 193 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), to be paid before the next trial date.
The case was adjourned to December 9, 2025, for continuation of the trial.
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