An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Wednesday discharged a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Emmanuel Orekoya, on the allegation of defiling his 17-year-old daughter.

The Lagos State Government on February 26, 2024, arraigned Orekoya on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Justice Abiola Soladoye struck out the case and discharged Orekoya of the charge for lack of diligent prosecution.

Ms Soladoye said that the prosecution failed to present witnesses in court to prove the allegations against Mr Orekoya.

According to her, the case of the prosecution is a colossal waste of time as there is no single witness in court to testify against the pastor after 10 adjournments.

The judge said: “This case is struck out for want of diligence prosecution. After the arraignment of the defendant on February 26, 2024, till date, making a total of 10 adjournments, no witness ever came up before this court to testify. It is right that justice delayed is justice denied. Prosecution is at liberty to re-arrest the defendant and bring him to justice whenever they have assembled their witnesses to prosecute this case.”

The prosecution, at arraignment, alleged that Mr Orekoya defiled his daughter sometime in 2017 at Jacob Adeleye Street, Odoeran, in the Itire area of Surulere, Lagos.

The prosecution further alleged that Mr Orekoya inserted his manhood into the victim, an offence which contravened Sections 137 and 162 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Mr Orekoya pleaded not guilty to the charges.

(NAN)