Lagos govt arraigns Pastor accused of fondling minor’s breast

Lagos govt arraigns Pastor accused of fondling minor’s breast 

The Lagos State Government has arraigned a legal practitioner and pastor, Olawale Akanni, popularly known as Bashorun, before an Ikeja High Court over allegations of indecent treatment of a 14-year-old girl.

Akanni was charged with one count of indecent treatment of a child, to which he pleaded not guilty.

State Counsel, Mrs Funmilayo Aluko, informed the court that the alleged offence occurred in 2010 at Iwaya, Lagos, where the defendant was said to have fondled the breast of the minor, who had been placed in his care.

Aluko urged the court to remand the defendant and adjourn the matter for trial. However, defence counsel, Ms Morenikeji Oyekunle, appealed to the court to allow her client to continue enjoying the bail earlier granted by a magistrate’s court, citing his status as a legal practitioner and arguing that he was not a flight risk.

Justice Hakeem Oshodi upheld the existing bail conditions and directed the defence to ensure the defendant’s presence at all subsequent court dates.

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The prosecution then informed the court that the alleged survivor, now a 27-year-old trader, was present and ready to testify.

In her testimony, the witness recounted that she met the defendant through her father, a member of Akanni’s church. She said she moved into the defendant’s home in 2010 at the age of eight to improve her academic performance and participate in the church choir.

She alleged that while living with the defendant, she was subjected to repeated sexual and physical abuse, including harsh punishments for poor academic performance. She said she eventually fled the house and informed her parents of the abuse.

The witness added that she formally reported the matter in 2023 after learning of a similar incident involving another minor in the same church. Under cross-examination, she revealed that she had initially confided in her class teacher, Mrs Akingbeoyewa, about the alleged abuse.

Following the testimony, the defence requested an adjournment to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the witness’s evidence. The prosecution objected, citing potential emotional distress to the witness due to further delays.

Justice Oshodi granted the adjournment but invoked Section 193 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), awarding a cost of N50,000 in favour of the witness, to be paid by the defence before the next trial date.

The case was adjourned until December 9 for continuation of trial.

Lagos govt arraigns Pastor accused of fondling minor’s breast