COMMONWEALTH of Zion Assembly (Coza) founder and general overseer Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo has stood down in response to growing pressure following allegations that he raped Busola Dakolo years ago when she was a teenager.
Last week, Busola, the wife of musician Timi Dakolo Busola, alleged that Pastor Fatoyinbo raped her in Ilorin years ago. Pastor Fatoyinbo, who has denied the allegations, admitted that Busola once attended the same church with his family and has since filed a libel suit against her.
Despite this, the pressure has mounted on him as there have been protests up and down the country calling for him to be prosecuted. Already, the Christian Association of Nigeria has begin an investigation into the allegations and the police are under pressure to arrest the clergyman.
Announced that he will be taking a leave of absence on his Instagram page, Pastor Fatoyinbo wrote: “The past few days have been sobering for me. I have taken time to pray and seek spiritual counsel from Christian leaders around the world, who feel very concerned about the ongoing reports in the media.
“I have solicited their guidance on actions I should take that are honouring to our Lord Jesus Christ and the work he has called me to do. Drawing from their counsel and that of the leadership of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly and owing to my love for God’s word and sacred honour of my calling, I have decided to take a leave of absence from the pulpit of the church.”
He went on to ask for prayers for himself and his congregation during what he described as these turbulent times. Federal Capital Territory Police commissioner Bala Ciroma, said that the police require complaints from victims or witnesses to proceed with criminal action or rape charges against an alleged rapist and asked Busola to file a formal complaint.
