The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday reserved judgment until January 26 in a case involving a Lagos bishop, Feyi Daniel, accused of raping his assistant pastor and one other (names withheld).

Mr Daniel, the bishop of I Reign Christian Ministry, was also charged with attempted rape of one other alleged survivor (name withheld).

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the amended four-count charge bordering on rape, sexual assault and attempted rape.

After counsels adopted their final written addresses, Justice Rahman Oshodi fixed January 26 for judgment.

In his final written address, the defence counsel, Fola Awonusi, urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendant.

Mr Awonusi argued that the documents presented before the court showed malice and financial gains on the part of the alleged survivors.

According to him, there are contradictions in the evidence given by the prosecution witnesses.

He urged the court to discount the evidence of the prosecution witness and acquit the defendant.

However, the state counsel, Babajide Boye, urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly.

Mr Boye, in his final written address, argued that there was evidence of a struggle, adding that the defendant forced himself on the alleged survivors.

He said the contradictions, which the defence argued about, were immaterial.

Mr Boye said, “In line with our argument, we urge the court to convict the defendant of the four-count charge; we have established sexual assault and attempted rape.”

The prosecution told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence sometime in June 2020 at Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene sections 260 (2), 262 and 263 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. 

(NAN)