The Lagos High Court has sentenced Bishop Feyiropo Daniels to life imprisonment for rape and three years for sexual assault. The name of the Nigerian pastor will appear in the Lagos State-maintained Sexual Offenders Register. Rahman Oshodi, the judge, found the cleric guilty on Friday of raping and sexually assaulting a female worshipper.
On May 29, 2023, a 23-year-old assistant pastor testified in an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos that Oluwafeyiropo, popularly known as Feyi Daniel, raped her twice.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, delivering the 324-page judgement, also sentenced the embattled bishop to three years’ imprisonment for sexually assaulting another church member, aged 19.
He determined that the prosecution had proven rape and sexual assault beyond reasonable doubt. Oshodi ruled that Daniels should spend the rest of his life at the Kirikiri Custodial Facility, Lagos.
According to him, the third witness supported the testimony of the first prosecution witness. The judge acquitted Daniels of one rape charge due to an element of consent and dismissed an attempted rape charge.
Justice Oshodi emphasised Daniels’ lack of regard for the truth and commission of the offences using his dominant character as a pastor, stating, “Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, I have convicted you of sexually violating two women, who were members of your church.”
Despite the defence counsel’s plea for mercy, the judge, citing the mandatory sentence for rape under Lagos State law, sentenced Daniels to life imprisonment for count one and three years for count three, to run concurrently.
Feyiropo, founder of 1 Reign Christian Ministry, was remanded in prison custody on April 17, 2023, for allegedly raping two church members.
Reactions to the court ruling have been diverse, with some church members expressing discontent and others considering the sentence excessive. Questions about a perceived government vendetta against the pastor, who had prophesied about a political figure, have surfaced.
Divided opinions
The varied reactions reflect a broader discussion on the severity of rape charges in Nigeria, with some emphasising the gravity of the offence and others speculating about ulterior motives in the legal proceedings.
Lylli Inno commented, saying, “The punishment for rape is not life imprisonment; it’s 21 years (10 and a half months). Is there something you had against him?”
A woman, who claimed to be a leader in the evangelism and welfare unit of the church and gave her name as Mrs. Peace, said, “I know my pastor. He will overcome. He has been a staunch attacker of this government, and they are victimising him. Our God is not asleep. In this month of our fasting, we will not stop praying for him even while in captivity.”
Another Christian (not from his church) said, “There is an ongoing war against the church; this is a serious battle that must be fought and defeated.”
Political prosecution?
Pastor Daniels had prophesied that the current president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, would be jailed. Many now think the government is using the prophecy to get back at him. “I wonder why the pastor who prophesied that Tinubu would be jailed is now jailed for life. This is not clear at all,” Prince Edu wrote on Instagram.
“He made a prophecy about top men in Nigeria soon after he was accused of rape; do you really think the Nigerian justice system works?” questioned another user.
But others think he is as guilty as the verdict. “Finally!! Justice works in Nigeria,” Titi Geng said. “I’m surprised that a lot of Nigerians don’t know how serious an offence rape is in Nigeria. Just so you know, rape is a felony in Nigeria and is punishable by life imprisonment. “The men of God who have used their influence and money to escape justice before will also be facing the law,” added Sir Jay.
