Against disturbing rape saga, the embattled Senior pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, who is walking a tight-rope of integrity has cancelled the church’s upcoming week-long programme as protests seeking his dismissal gather momentum.
Busola Dakolo, celebrity photographer and wife of Nigerian singer, Timi Dakolo had on Friday accused the pastor of raping her at 16 in Ilorin in a now-viral video interview.
Dakolo detailed the events that led to the alleged rape, which she revealed happened twice in one week. The allegations caused an uproar on social media with some Nigerians calling on Fatoyinbo to respond.
Although Biodun denied the allegations in an official response, another lady known as Franca E. has come out with rape allegation against the Senior Pastor.
Franca wrote on Instagram, “I was introduced to the church in Abuja by my childhood friend, who moved to Abuja from Calabar two years before I did. When I joined, she was also a PCU worker.
“I told him he was in no position to negotiate. Got the money, left the Randy goat with a deflated erection and checked into another room.
“First thing the next morning, I left for ABJ. By the way, remember my childhood friend that introduced me to COZA? I narrated my experience to her and she confessed that she was sleeping with Biodun for over a year, even on his marital bed when his wife traveled. Oga Pastor, try and deny my story publicly and see American wonder….I still have the pictures and our conversation on tape. Thank God for technology,” she concluded.
While Pastor Biodun was trying to come to terms with the allegation, protesters marched to COZA in Lagos, urging him to step down as pastor of the church until the investigations are concluded.
This was as Timi, popular Nigerian musician, announced the mobilisation of a seven-day protest to demand justice for his wife, Busola and others who have come forward to accuse Pastor Fatoyinbo of COZA of rape.
In Abuja, some COZA officials were said to have sponsored some people to embark on a counter protest against the opposition in support of the pastor and the church.
The protests tagged #ChurchToo and #PastorStepDown are currently being held at COZA branches in Lagos and Abuja with participants urging the church to suspend the clergy activities of Fatoyinbo pending investigations into the alleged rape accusations.
They marched to the church premises in their numbers with placards.
The protests also have active conversations on social media with #stepdownpastor, #churchtoo and #pastorbiodunfatoyinbo among the top five trending topics on Nigerian twitter.
@martobono tweeted, “An allegation was made against the man. He used his COZA letterhead paper to respond.
“Meaning, the response was on behalf of the incorporated trustees, management and the entire members and you don’t want people to take their protests to the church? You must be MAD! #ChurchToo”
@MsLami_A wrote, “As expected, they barricaded the road leading to the church auditorium with armed forces. But we will sit here and pass our message across. #ChurchToo #MeToo #IStandWithBusolaDakolo.”
@Oluwatosingbenga said, “#COZA members in Abuja form human barricade preventing protesters from proceeding to the front of their church #stepdownpastor COZA youths blocking our protest.#ChurchToo#PastorStepDown.”
Consequently, COZA Pastor Biodun has cancelled upcoming “7 Days Of Glory” programme as protests gain ground.
The event billed to hold from July 1 to July 7 was cancelled on Sunday during the church service with protesters holding a peaceful demonstration around the premises.
Meanwhile, Fatoyinbo’s wife, Modele, also denied the allegations against him on Sunday, adding that even before becoming a pastor, he had never raped anyone.
“Not even as an unbeliever will my husband rape someone,” Mrs Fatoyinbo said during the church service broadcast.
However, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) are yet to meet and respond to the allegation involving their member.
