The leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has refuted the claim that they are behind Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo on the alleged rape allegation.
This followed a new video that surfaced online, where some representatives of CAN visited the Abuja branch of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) during last Sunday’s church service,
The video reportedly shows the CAN officials pledging to stand by Fatoyinbo, who has been accused of rape by Mrs Busola Dakolo, the wife of popular singer, Timi Dakolo, and another anonymous lady.
Mrs Dakolo granted an interview where she alleged that Fatoyinbo, who was her pastor, allegedly raped her in her father’s apartment when she was 17 and had sex with her on other occasions.
So CAN representatives went to COZA to show support for Biodun Fatoyinbo yesterday. Nigeria really is a “special” country lol pic.twitter.com/03ELk13XtP
— Wole (@Kingwole) July 15, 2019
The news was greeted with widespread condemnation and a protest was staged in front of COZA churches in Abuja and Lagos.
READ: Police confirm three dead, seven injured in Jos building collapse
These prompted Fatoyinbo to step down as the senior pastor of the church.
He later released a statement, denying the allegation and vowing to challenge his accusers in court.
The Abuja CAN Chairman, Rev. Jonah Samson and its Northcentral counterpart, Rev. Israel Akanji, addressed COZA congregation last Sunday in Abuja.
Refuting the claimed support for Fatoyinbo, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to CAN President Samson Ayokunle, told The Nation on phone that the church leaders were not there to support the alleged crime.
He added: “What happened is this: they did not support the pastor of COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo. The Chairman of CAN Abuja, Reverend Jonah Samson and CAN Chairman for North Central, Reverend Israel Akanji, who addressed the congregation, did not pledge their support; they did not endorse Fatoyinbo.
“I want you to go to COZA video and listen to it. These leaders told them that COZA is located within our jurisdiction. ‘That is why we came here to tell you that we are praying for your pastor and members of the church.’ That’s what they said. They did not say Fatoyinbo committed the crime or he did not do it. They did not say that Fatoyinbo is guilty or not. That issue did not come up.”
Also, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has set up a three-man panel to investigate the rape allegation.
A PFN source told our correspondent that the investigating team had started work and several things were being put into consideration.
The source said: “Another update is that the PFN has set up a three-man panel to investigate the allegation. Just wait and see what the panel will come up with. It will interest you what will be revealed.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
