Bishop Feyi Daniels, Who Foresaw President Tinubu's Arrest, Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Sexual Assault

A Lagos-based pastor, Bishop Feyi Daniels, who previously predicted the arrest of Bola Tinubu during his inauguration, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his assistant. The Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja handed down the life sentence for the rape of a pastor in his church, 'I Reign Christian Ministry,' in June 2020.

The court also found Mr. Daniels guilty of sexually assaulting two members of his church, sentencing him to three years in prison for those offenses. During the judgment, Justice Rahman Oshodi expressed confidence in the testimony of the complainant and other witnesses, noting that their direct evidence remained uncontradicted throughout the trial, despite the defendant's denials.

Justice Oshodi stated that the prosecution successfully established all the elements of rape under section 260(2) of the criminal laws of Lagos state, 2015. However, the court acquitted the defendant of the second count, relating to an alleged rape of another church member at his home in 2020. The court reasoned that the prosecution failed to prove the use of force, fear of harm by the complainant, and misrepresentation by the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court ordered the convict's name to be registered in the Lagos State sex offenders register and mandated him to serve his prison term at the Nigeria Correctional Center, specifically at the Kirikiri Maximum Facility where he is currently detained. Justice Oshodi emphasized that the cleric, using his dominant character and position, had sexually violated two members of his church.

"Rape carries a mandatory life imprisonment, and sexual assault carries a jail term of three years, which cannot alleviate the harm inflicted on your victims. In exercising the mandatory sentencing, the court declared that the convict poses a significant risk to society."