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 issued on Monday commended Pastor 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 Force, 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 Force 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.
“Conversely, by voluntarily submitting himself to the Police
Force 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 stated that COPA would continue to monitor
events as they unfold to ensure that no rights are abused, nor any process
skewered to favor 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. (NAN)
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