Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Kwara cleric who made his victims swear an oath of secrecy on the Bible under threat of death has been sentenced to life imprisonment for repeatedly raping three underage members of his congregation inside the church's mission house. Prophet Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka, the General Overseer of the Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry in Agah, Ganmo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, was convicted on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, by a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.
Justice Hammed Aliyu Gegele, who delivered the judgment, found the cleric guilty of unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, rape, and illegal abortion. The court discharged him on a charge of bigamy after the prosecution failed to establish that offence. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a pump-action gun recovered from the convict to the Federal Government.
The convict was arraigned on an eight‑count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, illegal abortion, and unlawful possession of firearms. The charges were brought under Sections 97, 235, and 283 of the Penal Code, Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, 2004, and Section 31(2) of the Kwara State Child Rights Law, 2006.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel Issa Zakari, called 12 witnesses and tendered exhibits, including the victims' statements and the firearm recovered from the convict. The victims, identified in court as PW3, PW4, and PW5, gave harrowing testimony of the abuse they suffered. They told the court that the prophet administered anointing oil on their private parts in a ritual‑like manner before forcibly having sexual intercourse with them inside the mission house.
Justice Gegele recounted one victim's ordeal, stating, "One of the victims narrated how the defendant took her to a generator house where he forcefully had sexual intercourse with her after applying anointing oil as lubricant." The judge further said the victim told the court she was often woken up after night vigils for repeated sexual encounters orchestrated by the cleric.
To ensure the minors' silence, the prophet used intimidation and psychological manipulation. The victims testified that the convict compelled them to swear an oath of secrecy on the Bible, warning that they would face death if they ever disclosed what happened. The court also heard that the prophet repeatedly impregnated some of the victims and forced them to undergo crude illegal abortions to conceal his crimes.
In his verdict, Justice Gegele described the convict as "a pedophile and philanderer whose conduct should be deprecated by all and sundry in society." The judge declared that the convict exploited his position as a clergyman and turned his victims into "sex machines, abusing them physically and mentally."
"Such actions are unacceptable in any decent society," Justice Gegele said. For the offences relating to unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, the court imposed three separate life imprisonment sentences on the convict. The court also sentenced Prophet Olayinka to 14 years’ imprisonment for carrying out illegal abortions linked to pregnancies involving the victims.
The case was painstakingly investigated by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, through its Gender Unit, following the arrest of the suspect in May 2024 over allegations of sexual abuse of underage victims. The command’s Gender Unit laid the groundwork for the successful prosecution, after which the matter was transferred to the Kwara State Ministry of Justice for diligent prosecution.
Commandant of the NSCDC, Abbas Nda Mohammed, commended the courage displayed by the victims who came forward despite threats, intimidation, and emotional trauma. He also applauded the professionalism, diligence, and resilience of officers of the Gender Unit. The Command equally appreciated the Kwara State Ministry of Justice for its unwavering commitment to justice and collaboration throughout the prosecution process.
The judgment has been hailed as a victory for the rule of law and a strong deterrent. It sends a clear message that no amount of religious cover or intimidation can shield perpetrators of sexual violence from justice. The court's decision also serves as a warning to those who use their positions of trust to prey on the vulnerable, affirming that society will no longer tolerate such egregious violations of children's rights.
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