Pastor Feyi Daniels Sentenced to Life for Church Member Assault

The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence court sentenced Pastor Feyi Daniels, founder of iReign Christian Ministry, to life imprisonment on Friday for the rape and sexual assault of a church member.

The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, found Daniels guilty of the charges brought against him by a 19-year-old church member and a 23-year-old pastor assistant. The judge ruled that the prosecution successfully presented evidence establishing the two offenses, leading to the life sentence.

Daniels, based in Lagos, had vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that three out of the four women accusing him had conspired against him. However, the court dismissed his defense, with Judge Oshodi stating that Daniels lacked regard for the truth.

The Bishop’s defense included claims of personal relationships with the accusers, financial assistance for medical treatment, payment of school fees, and counseling. However, the court found inconsistencies in his testimony.

During cross-examination, the prosecution accused Daniels of using his pastoral position to manipulate those seeking counseling. The pastor refuted the allegation, stating that he was not a manipulator but a pastor who counsels without using power.

The defense further contested the admissibility of statements that Daniels wrote while in police custody. The statements contained a mix of confession and denial, and the defense argued that they were signed under duress. Despite objections, the judge admitted the documents, citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.

The sentencing marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address sexual offenses within religious institutions, emphasizing accountability for those in positions of trust.