General Overseer arrested for ‘raping’ minor in Ogun

The Ogun State Police command has confirmed the arrest of one Pastor Israel Adebayo, the General Overseer of ‘The Beloved Chapel’ over the alleged rape of a minor.

According to a statement by Oyeyemi Abimbola, the command’s spokesperson, the culprit allegedly lured the 14-year-old choir member into his apartment and raped her.

The suspect was arrested on Sunday by operatives of the Agbado divisional Headquarters following a complaint by the victim’s mother.

Oyeyemi noted that the act was perpetrated in October 2021 but the victim’s mother frustrated efforts by the Nigerian police to arrest the culprit because she didn’t want to offend the Pastor.

However, she invited the police as the victim had been continuously bleeding from her private part since the incident.

The statement reads, “A 38 years old Pastor Israel Adebayo has been arrested by men of Ogun state Police Command for defiling a 14 years old member of his Church (name withheld).

38 YEARS OLD PASTOR ARRESTED FOR DEFILING A 14 YEARS OLD CHURCH CHOIR MEMBER.
A 38 years old Pastor Israel Adebayo has been arrested by men of Ogun state Police Command for defiling a 14 pic.twitter.com/DGcFdLzCWV

— Ogun State Police Command (@OgunPoliceNG) September 4, 2022

“The Pastor who is the General Overseer of “The Beloved Chapel ” situated at No 9, Iyaniwura street, off Owonikoko street Agbado area of Ogun state was arrested following a complaint lodged at Agbado divisional headquarters by the mother of the victim,  who reported that while she travelled to treat herself of certain ailment, her daughter who happened to be a choir member in their church, went to Church and the Pastor lured her into his room and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.

“Upon the report, DPO Agbado detailed his detectives to the scene where the randy pastor was arrested. On interrogation, the pastor admitted defiling the victim and pleaded for forgiveness.

“The suspect would have been arrested long ago, but the mother of the victim frustrated the move because she doesn’t want to offend the pastor. But when the victim continuously bleeding from her private part since when the incident happened in October 2021, she was left with no option than to allow police to come into the  matter.”

Meanwhile, the CP, Lanre Bankole has ordered further investigation and possible prosecution.

He also warned parents to stop the habit of covering anybody who indecently assaults their daughter(s) irrespective of their relationship with the accused person as they too may be liable for prosecution for compounding felony.