A rights advocacy group, Tonia Bruised But Not Broken Foundation, has lauded the sentencing of a Lagos bishop, Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, to life in jail for raping his assistant.

The executive director of the foundation, Anthonia Ojenagbon, told journalists in Lagos on Friday that the judgement was landmark.

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court convicted and sentenced Daniels on Friday.

Ms Ojenagbon said that the judgement was a victory for all survivors of sexual abuse in Nigeria.

According to her, the judgement serves as a deterrent to everyone who manipulates vulnerable girls and women.

She also thanked the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State branch, to which the case was first reported in 2020.

She said: “This judgement shows beaming hope that survivors will get justice and perpetrators of this evil act will, one day, find themselves in a place where they will not be able to escape.

“I want to say that this is a victory for every survivor of sexual violence and rape case in Nigeria.”

She also thanked the survivors for coming out to testify against the cleric while praising the Lagos State Government for having zero tolerance for any form of sexual and gender-based violence.

Also reacting, the founder of Stop the Abuse Against Children and Women Foundation, Toyin Taiwo-Ojo, said that the judgement would restore faith in the church and the entire society.

Mrs Taiwo-Ojo, also the lead counsel to the survivors, said that the judgment showed that morality was protected by the judiciary.

The Lagos-based lawyer said: “This is another win for sexual violence and rape survivors.

“We have seen men of God committing this crime over and over again.”

Mr Oshodi also sentenced the bishop to three years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old member of the church.

Mr Daniels was charged on four counts bordering on rape, attempted rape and sexual assault.

Mr Oshodi discharged and acquitted him on two counts.

(NAN)