Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Common Wealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) has finally reacted to the rape allegation levelled against him by Busola Dakolo, wife of Nigerian singer, Timi Dakolo.
Busola had in an exclusive interview with Chude Jidenowo, co-founder of Red Media, accused Fatoyinbo of raping her and taking her virginity at the age of 17.
But reacting in a press statement he personally signed on Friday evening, the COZA pastor described Busola’s rape allegation as “fallacious, non-existent and which are all denied in every measure.”
Advertisement
Pastor Fatoyinbo said he has never raped anyone in his life, even as an unbeliever.
The COZA pastor added that he and the church have briefed, “our lawyers to commence Criminal and Civil actions against all individuals making such false allegations whether directly or by proxies.”
Fatoyinbo’s reaction partly reads: “As an individual and as a Church, we love and support people, and we will never condone any form of abuse, rape, harassment, or intimidation od anybody.
“I have never in my life raped anybody even as an unbeliever and I am absolutely innocent of this.
“Busola Dakolo, who has made this false allegation and her family attended the church during the early start of the church in Ilorin in 1999.
“I never had any private interactions with her beyond my pastoral duties. Looking at her status and that of her husband, I am dumbfounded why she would say such a thing. As expected under the ethics of Journalism, it would have been expected that I should have been confronted with theses false allegations prior to any publication, instead of resorting to social media with the intent to ruin my reputation and bring down the church.
“We will also not stand for false criminal allegations made against me or the church. The leadership of the church and I briefed our lawyers to commence Criminal and Civil actions against all individuals making such false allegations whether directly or by proxies. We will as a church pursue every measure within the ambits of the law to bring the culprits to justice.
“we have heard, and we will not be surprised to see more of such allegations by people who have been paid to continue in this line of blackmail, harassment and extortion including those who may have been dismissed from their duties in the church on disciplinary grounds.
“To all our members and those supporting God’s work, I want to assure you that we would fight this and the Lord will vindicate us. This has always been intended to attack the church, this is the intent of the adversary, the intent is to destry the church, so please stay focused and prayerful. God Bless you. I celebrate you.
The Pastor should leave the Church alone in the legal battle he’s about to start. It’s an allegation on him, not the Church.