Protesters Shut Down COZA Over Rape Allegation Against Pastor Fatoyinbo (PHOTOS
LAGOS JULY 1ST (NEWSRANGERS)-Protesters have shut down the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) in Abuja over the rape allegation against the Founder of the church, Biodun Fatoyinbo.
Bearing placards with inscriptions such as ‘Thou shall not rape’, and ‘Your pastor is not your God’, the protesters are calling on the pastor to step down, and be investigated, among other things.
The protesters had converged on an NNPC filling station close to the church in Guzape before proceeding to the church, which is holding its first Sunday service since Busola Dakolo, photographer and wife of musician Timi Dakolo accused the pastor of raping her, 20 years ago when she was 18.
The pastor has denied the allegation, but many including celebrities and leaders of civil society groups are demanding an investigation and have expressed support for Busola. Many others have also defended the pastor.
The latest scandal to involve the pastor has dominated social media discuss for days with the push for a protest gaining traction through Friday and Saturday.
In 2013, a member of the church, Ese Walters, had alleged that she and the pastor had an affair.
Ahead of the protest, security was tightened at the church with masked police officers, soldiers and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stationed around it.
In a related development theCommonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) has cancelled its yearly special programme “Seven Days of Glory”, scheduled to hold from July 1-7, 2019.
Senior Pastor, Abiodun Fatoyinbo, made the announcement to members on Sunday during church service.
The special programme COZA7DG, usually have several international pastors attended, and this edition is meant to host Pastor John Hannah, Pastor Korede Komaiya and Prophet Gideon Danso.
Fatoyinbo revealed that the cancellation followed consultation with his spiritual leaders and church elders who asked him not to put the special guests through the risk of protests amid allegations of rape against him.
He added that his “elders” were handling the situation and he expressed sadness at the huge deployment of security agents in the church.
Busola Dakolo, photographer and wife of musician Timi Dakolo had accused Pastor Abiodun Fatoyinbo, of rape in an interview with Y!Naija on Friday.
Mrs Dakolo said that Fatoyinbo did the act when she was 18 years old at her parents’ home.
The allegation sparked social media storm, with thousands sharing their views on the matter, while several celebrities expressed their support for her and called for an investigation into the matter.
The COZA senior pastor has denied the rape allegations.
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Posted by News Rangers
on Jul 1 2019. Filed under National.
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