Breaking News: Lagos Pastor Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Raping Church Member

The founder of the iReign Christian Ministry, Feyi Daniels, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday by the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence court for raping a member of his church. The presiding judge, Rahman Oshodi, confirmed the Lagos-based cleric had committed rape and sexual assault against a female churchgoer.

Prior to this, Daniels had defended himself by suggesting a conspiracy against him, claiming that three of the four women accusing him of sexual assault were colluding to bring him down.

During the cross-examination, the prosecuting counsel Babajide Boye attempted to show that Daniels had personal relationships with the four women, including one he had counselled and others to whom he claimed he gave financial aid. However, Daniels denied these claims and also refuted allegations that he used his influence as a pastor to manipulate people seeking his advice.

Boye alleged that Daniels' statement contradict with the four written statements he made while in police custody last year. Defence counsel Adebayo Adegbite disputed the admission of these statements in court, claiming Daniels issued them under coercion and were written by the police.

Justice Rahman Oshodi overruled the objections and admitted the documents, stating that they would consider their evidential value later. The ruling was made based on Section 9(3) and (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State (2021), which states that a video testimony from the suspect is desirable but not mandatory.