A pastor and legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, was on Wednesday re-arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, for the alleged indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl.
The Lagos State Government brought Akanni before the court
on a one-count charge of indecent treatment of a child.
According to the charge, the defendant, who serves as a
pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, was accused of fondling
the breasts of a minor in the Iwaya area of Lagos.
The prosecution counsel, Funmilola Aluko, told the court
that the offence violated Section 135 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015,
which prohibits the indecent treatment of children.
Akanni, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, defence counsel, Morenikeji Oyekunle,
urged the court to allow her client to continue on the bail previously granted
by a Magistrate’s Court, noting that he had met all conditions and posed no
flight risk, given his status as a lawyer and clergyman.
But Aluko opposed the request, asking the court to review
the bail terms.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi upheld the bail conditions
earlier set by the lower court and directed the defence to ensure the
defendant’s consistent appearance at all trial dates.
Shortly after the ruling, the prosecution informed the court
that the complainant, now 27 years old, was present and ready to testify.
Led in evidence by the prosecution, the witness recounted
how she met the defendant through her father, who was a member of Akanni’s
church on Lagos Island.
She testified that in 2010, at about eight years old, she
went to live with the defendant’s family to improve her academics and
participate in the church choir.
However, during her stay, the defendant allegedly molested
her sexually and physically, fondling her and subjecting her to severe
punishments whenever she performed poorly in school.
According to her, she later fled the defendant’s home and
informed her parents about the alleged abuse.
The witness explained that she only officially lodged a
complaint in 2023 after hearing of another alleged incident involving a minor
within the same church.
Under cross-examination, she said she had earlier confided
in her class teacher, Mrs Akingbeoyewa, about the alleged molestation while
still living with the defendant.
At the close of her testimony, the defence sought an
adjournment to obtain a Certified True Copy of her evidence.
The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that
further delays could cause emotional distress to the witness.
In his ruling, 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 sitting.
The judge adjourned the case until December 9, 2025, for
continuation of the trial.
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