The Nigerian Police Force will be revisiting the rape case filed by Busola Dakolo against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo,the General Overseer of Commonwealth of Zion Church (COZA).
The Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department of the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters stated they have completed investigations into the case and have forwarded the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPP) for legal advice and further necessary action.
Busola Dakolo, wife of singer, Timi Dakolo, disclosed this in an update on her rape case against clergyman, Biodun Fatoyinbo.
In June 2019, she publicly accused the clergyman of violently raping her when she was a teenager and was worshipping in his church in Kwara state. She filed a suit against him but it was thrown out by the court.
Dakolo shared a copy of the letter she recieved from the police on her verified Instagram page where she alleged the Ministry of Justice has since received the case file for Fatoyinbo’sprosecution but has remained silent.
She said her team has sent a letter to the Ministry of Justice over a month ago but have recieved no response yet.
Dakolo, a professional photographer, said she was glad that consciousness is beginning to be raised about sexual abuse and women are finding more strength to speak up. She also mentioned how the Nigerian Judicial System isn’t wired to help sexual abuse victims get justice
Her post reads-
“It is now officially one year after since I came out and told the most important story of my life up until this point. That when I was a teenager, Biodun Fatoyinbo violently raped me.
“A lot has happened in that time: and my heart is glad that consciousness continues to be raised about the great evil that sexual abuse is, and how widespread it is, and how much women are at risk, and why we need to ensure justice for those who find the strength to speak out.
”Awareness is victory. But we are pushing to another even great victory: Justice.
”When the courts last year decided to rule in favour of the man who assaulted me, people were crestfallen. I understood.
”What they didn’t know however is that before we even began, we had been prepared for a long haul battle that may take years because the Nigerian legal system isn’t wired to help sexual abuse victims get justice.
”Today, I have a major update. The police has concluded its investigation. And handed over its report to the Ministry of Justice in Abuja for onward prosecution of Biodun Fatoyinbo. He clearly has a case to answer.
”But there has been silence from the ministry. Silence. A loud silence! ”We have written a letter but for over a month we have no response.
”Instead, my lawyers and my family have heard about all manner of manipulation and foul play being attempted to stop the ministry from beginning prosecution immediately. ”Or even to get the police report manipulated.
”My name is Busola Dakolo, a survivor of one of the most horrific acts -rape. My voice will not be shut down. My case will not be silenced. I am thankful to those in and out of the police, the ministry and the corridors of power who have called in solidarity and to reassure me that they are monitoring the ministry of justice and that this pressure to bury the case will not succeed.
”I am updating the Nigerian public because you all made my story matter. You joined me to say enough is enough. With you, this has been an easier process.”
ICYMI-
Mrs Busola, married to popular musician Timi Dakolo, in June 2019 accused Pastor Fatoyinbo of raping her twice.
The allegations went viral on social media with some saying it had triggered Nigeria’s #MeToo moment.
Mrs. Dakolo revealed she was only 16 when Fatoyinbo came to her family residence in Ilorin and raped her, deflowering her in the process.
The mother of three said the first encounter happened on a morning when Fatoyinbo knocked on the door of her family home in Ilorin. The family had been a long-time member of COZA.
The allegation also forced the pastor to go on “leave of absence from the pulpit” for weeks because it was the “right thing to do”. He, however, denied any wrongdoing.
Busola however in September 2019 sued the founder of COZA to court for intentionally inflicting and causing her continuous emotional distress.
In a reaction to the lawsuit, Fatoyinbo filed a counter-claim stating that the accusations from Busola should be dismissed because it was frivolous and statute-barred.
Mrs Dakolo’s allegation came six years after Mr Fatoyinbo faced allegations of sexual misconduct and adultery from two women, including Ese Walters. The two other women did not accuse Mr Fatoyinbo of raping them, and they also largely avoided confronting him unlike Mrs Dakolo.
In what seem like an update after almost a year since the police began its investigations, Busola in a statement said the police “handed over its report to the Ministry of Justice in Abuja for onward prosecution of Biodun Fatoyinbo.”