Alleged rape: Bishop closes defence in Lagos

Embattled Pastor of the I Reign Christian Ministry, Daniel Oluwafeyiropo, charged with rape of his assistant and one other lady, closed his defence on Friday in Lagos. Oluwafeyiropo is charged before an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court. He, however, pleaded not guilty. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bishop opened defence on Tuesday and denied the charges. The defendant told the court that the alleged survivors conspired against him to accuse him of the offences. During cross-examination by state counsel, Mr Babajide Boye, on Friday, the defendant reteirated that he believed that the alleged survivors  conspired against him. He also denied giving N100,000 to one of the alleged survivors for medical treatment. Boye asked him if his position as a pastor and someone who people approached for counselling made him to manipulate people. The defendant said: “I am not a manipulator. Three ladies turned against me but one of them later apologised to me. “I am not a powerful man but I am a pastor, and I do not use power to counsel people. “You get trained to counsel and you use wisdom and the leading of the spirit.” The defendant also denied tampering with WhatsApp messages between him and one of the alleged survivors. Defence counsel, Mr Olukunle Oyewole, thereafter informed the court that the defendant would be closing his case. Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted some extrajudicial statements from the defence counsel in evidence and marked them Exhibits E1 to E7. Oshodi adjourned the case until Dec. 20 for adoption of final written address by defence and prosecution counsel. The defendant is facing trial on a two-count charge bordering on raping two ladies. He allegedly had sexual intercourse with the ladies against their wishes, at his Lekki residence,  Lagos,  State.