The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sentenced Feyi Daniels, the founder of iReign Christian Ministry, to life imprisonment for the rape and sexual assault of a female church member.
The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, delivered the verdict, finding the Lagos-based cleric guilty of the charges brought against him.
The Bishop, who took the witness stand in his own defense during the trial, claimed that three out of the four women accusing him of sexual assault conspired against him.
However, the prosecution’s lead counsel, Babajide Boye, aimed to establish a personal relationship between Daniels and the women, alleging financial assistance, counseling, and support in various forms.
Under cross-examination, Daniels denied providing money for hospital treatment but admitted that one of the accusers later apologized to him. The prosecutor accused the Bishop of using his position to manipulate those seeking counseling, a claim vehemently denied by Daniels, who insisted that he is not a manipulator.
Boye also brought attention to an alleged incident where one accuser expressed dissatisfaction upon seeing Daniels at a fellowship center. The Bishop attributed this reaction to financial constraints rather than any personal wrongdoing.
During the trial, the prosecutor sought to submit four statements purportedly written by Daniels while in police custody, highlighting contradictions between the statements and the Bishop’s testimony. The defense objected, arguing that the statements were not voluntary and were signed under duress.
In a ruling, Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the documents, citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State (2021). The judge overruled the defense’s objection, emphasizing the admissibility of the statements for consideration in determining the case’s outcome.
