You Must Be Investigated In Spite Stepping Down, Lawyers Tell COZA Pastor

The Coalition of Public Interests Lawyers and Advocates (COPA)
on Monday urged Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) Pastor Biodun
Fatoyinbo, to surrender himself for investigation having stepped
down from the pulpit as senior pastor of the church.

Fatoyinbo had been the subject of discussion since last week
after Mrs Busola Dakolo, wife of inspiration singer Timi Dakolo,
accused him of raping her when she was 17 years.

He stepped down on Monday but still insisted that he had never
raped anyone before, ‘not even as an unbeliever’. The allegation
had elicited reactions from Nigerians, including those in the
presidency.

However, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, Convener of COPA, in a statement
on Monday commended Fatoyinbo for stepping down as senior pastor in
COZA but urged him to take it a step further by reporting to the
police for investigation.

“We at COPA are of the mind that while the above is a good way
to start that, Mr Biodun Fatoyinbo must take a step further in the
interest of addressing and assuaging public interest by reporting
to the Nigeria Police Force voluntary, a truly neutral arbiter in
this instance, to provide answers to public queries on the
matter.

“This is in view of making sure that the results of the
investigations from both the church committee and the Police, being
independent sources, would satisfactorily put to rest all sundry
issues generated by the intense rape allegations hanging over
him.

“A man of clear conscience fears nothing and we hope that it
would never come to the point where Mr Biodun Fatoyinbo is
compelled beyond personal alacrity to do the needful and submit
self to the Police for questioning.

“Needless to say that his status as a popular man of God and the
issue of betrayal of fiduciary trust, infidelity and the crime of
rape makes it imperative that no room is left for doubt to exist on
his innocence of the claims against him, he said in the
statement.

“Conversely, by voluntarily submitting himself to the Police for
questioning, he makes a much needed statement in lieu of his claims
to innocence.

“It also affords the public the opportunity to pursue further
actions where it is established that he may in fact have criminal
issues to answer to or not.”

Olajengbesi said that COPA would continue to monitor events as
they unfold to ensure that no rights are abused, nor any process
skewered to favour one party against the other in this matter.

The COPA Convener while urging the pastor not to slack in
establishing his innocence, noted that where justice must be done,
it must be manifestly seen to be done.

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