A flamboyant pastor in Nigeria has stepped aside from his church after a celebrity photographer accused him of raping her twice before she turned 18.
Biodun Fatoyinbo denied the allegation by Busola Dakolo, who is married to popular musician Timi Dakolo.
He said he was taking “leave of absence from the pulpit” because it was the “right thing to do”.
Ms Dakolo’s allegation went viral on social media, with some saying it had triggered Nigeria’s #MeToo moment.
The social media campaign has led to thousands of people sharing their stories of sexual abuse and harassment since 2017.
But women in socially conservative Nigeria have so far avoided speaking out, fearing a backlash or stigmatisation.
Nigeria has a huge Pentecostal Christian population and Pastor Fatoyinbo is the head pastor of the popular Commonwealth of Zion Assembly church in the capital, Abuja.
His church is one of the biggest and fastest growing in the country, especially among young people, says the BBC’s Joshua Ajayi in Lagos.
In a video circulating on social media since last week, Ms Dakolo said she was raped by the pastor at her father’s house early one morning, and the second time on a secluded road.
Her allegation led to protests on Sunday at different branches of Pastor Fatoyinbo’s church. Protesters held placards saying: “Thou shall not rape.”
The pastor said he was “absolutely innocent”, but had decided to step down from the church after seeking “spiritual counsel” from Christian leaders around the world.
“This step enables me to submit to the concerns of my spiritual mentors as they consider all the issues that have been raised against me,” he added in an Instagram post.
Meanwhile, the Senior Pastor of Daystar Church, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has reacted to Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo’s decision to step down as the Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) over rape allegation from Timi Dakolo’s wife, Busola.
Pastor Fatoyinbo had in a post on his Instagram page on Monday, announced stepping down from the pulpit following the rape saga.
He wrote: “The past few days have been very sobering on me I have taken time to seek spiritual counsel form Christian leaders around the world who feel very concerned about the ongoing report in the media.
“I have solicited their guidance on actions I should take that is honouring to our Lord Jesus Christ and the work he has called me to do.
“Drawing from their counsel and that of the leadership of COZA and owing to my love for Lord’s work and the sacred honor of my calling I have decided to take a leave of absence from the pulpit of the church.”
This came on the heels of protests asking the cleric to step down over the allegations.
The celebrity photographer had alleged that the COZA founder forcefully raped her when she was young.
But reacting to the development, Pastor Sam urged Nigerians to pray for everyone, while the process to seek truth is ongoing.
He said, ”My attention has been drawn to the allegations of rape made against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo by Mrs Busola Dakolo. These are, no doubt, serious allegations. Rape is a crime and I say a firm NO to rape.
”As Christians, it is only appropriate for us to seek for truth, justice, healing, and restoration for all involved. The Bible instructs us to do this with humility (Galatians 6:1)
”While these are still allegations, I emphatise with Mrs Dakolo and everyone that has been affected, and I pray God’s peace for them at this time.
- Agency Report