The Lagos High Court, in a landmark verdict, has sentenced Bishop Feyiropo Daniels to life imprisonment for rape and an additional 3 years for sexual assault.
Both sentences will run concurrently, and the pastor’s name will be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
Rahman Oshodi, the trial judge, delivered the ruling, finding the cleric guilty of the heinous crimes against a female worshipper.
The case happened when, on May 29, 2023, a 23-year-old assistant pastor testified in the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, alleging that Oluwafeyiropo, known as Feyi Daniel, had raped her twice.
Recall that Oluwafeyiropo, the founder of 1 Reign Christian Ministry, was remanded in prison custody on April 17, 2023.
The self-proclaimed man of God faced charges of raping two church members and was arraigned before Justice Ramon Oshodi on three amended counts related to rape and sexual assault.
During the trial, led in evidence by Lagos State counsel Mr. Babajide Boye, the assistant pastor revealed that she had encountered the bishop at a church program in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, on May 28, 2018.
Subsequently, she joined the 1 Reign Christian Ministry, rising to the position of assistant pastor.
She testified that, considering the bishop her spiritual father, she was sexually assaulted at his residence in Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos State, on June 21, 2020.
The court’s decision to impose a life sentence marks a significant step towards justice in the face of such grave offenses.
