The Sexual Crimes and Domestic Violence in Ikeja The court sentenced Pastor Feyi Daniels, founder of iReign Christian Missionto life in prison on Friday for raping and sexually assaulting a church member.
Trial judge Rahman Oshodi found Daniels guilty of the charges brought against him by a 19-year-old church member and a 23-year-old assistant pastor. The judge ruled that the prosecution had successfully presented evidence establishing both charges, resulting in a life sentence.
Daniels, who is based in Lagos, has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that three of the four women who accused him conspired against him. However, the court rejected his plea, with Judge Oshodi saying that Daniels had failed to uphold the truth.
Bishop’s defense included claims of a personal relationship with the accuser, financial support for medical treatment, tuition payments and counseling. However, the court found inconsistencies in his testimony.
During questioning, prosecutors accused Daniels of using his position as a pastor to manipulate people seeking counseling. The pastor denied the accusation, claiming that he was not a manipulator but a pastor who counseled without exerting power.
The defense continued to challenge the admissibility of statements Daniels wrote while in police custody. The statements contained a mixture of confessions and denials, and the defense argued that they were signed under duress. Despite the objections, the judge admitted the documents, citing Lagos State Criminal Justice Administration.
This conviction marks a significant step forward in ongoing efforts to address sexual crimes in religious organizations, emphasizing accountability for those in positions of trust.
