Pastor and Lawyer Re-Arraigned in Lagos on Alleged Indecent Assault of Minor
Pastor and Lawyer Re-Arraigned in Lagos on Alleged Indecent Assault of Minor
A pastor and legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, was re-arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on charges of alleged indecent treatment of a 14-year-old girl.
The Lagos State Government charged Akanni with a one-count offense related to the indecent treatment of a minor. The charge claims that the defendant, who is also a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, sexually assaulted the girl by fondling her breasts in the Iwaya area of Lagos.
Prosecutor Funmilola Aluko told the court that Akanni unlawfully fondled the minor’s breasts, an act alleged to violate Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In response, defense counsel Morenikeji Oyekunle requested the court to allow her client to retain the bail previously granted by a Magistrate’s Court, asserting that Akanni had fulfilled all conditions and posed no flight risk, given his status as a lawyer and clergyman. The prosecution opposed the bail application, urging the court to review the terms of his release.
Justice Oshodi upheld the earlier bail conditions and directed that Akanni must be present at all subsequent court dates. The prosecution also informed the court that the complainant, now 27 years old, was present and prepared to testify.
Testifying as the prosecution’s witness, the woman explained that she met Akanni through her father, a church member at RCCG on Lagos Island. She recounted that in 2010, at about age eight, she moved in with Akanni’s family to improve her academic performance and participate in the church choir. She alleged that during her stay, Akanni sexually and physically molested her, subjecting her to abuse and punishment whenever she performed poorly in school. She claimed she eventually fled the defendant’s home and reported the incident to her parents, and officially filed a report in 2023 after learning of a similar case involving another minor within the same church.
Under cross-examination, the witness disclosed she confided in her class teacher, Mrs. Akingbeoyewa, about the abuse while still living with Akanni.
The defense requested an adjournment to obtain a Certified True Copy of the witness’s statement, but the prosecution opposed, citing concerns over potential emotional distress to the witness. Justice Oshodi granted the adjournment but ordered the defense to pay N50,000 in costs to the witness before the next trial date, citing Section 193 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
The case was adjourned to December 9, 2025, for further proceedings.
