Eyebrows raised as Pastor Fatoyinbo returns to the pulpit amid rape allegations

Critics and close watchers are now raising eyebrows after troubled Pastor Abiodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, (COZA), returned to the pulpit to preach after he initially stepped down following rape allegations.

Reports say Pastor Fatoyinbo was welcomed back with a thunderous applause on Sunday, August 4th to the delight of many screaming and jubilating church members as he climbed the stage for the first time since the rape allegation leveled against him by Busola Dakolo, wife of R&B singer, Timi Dakolo.

Recall about a month ago that Pastor Fatoyinbo announced on Instagram and also issued an official statement revealing that he was stepping down from the pulpit in the heat of the allegations.

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.

READ ALSO: Questions raised as ‘CAN leaders’ back Fatoyinbo against rape victim, Busola Dakolo (Video)

“I have solicited their guidance on actions I should take that is honoring 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,” he added then.

However, his return to the pulpit follows drowning buzz over the rape allegations leveled against him by Busola who claimed the incident happened when she was 16.

Pastor Fatoyinbo’s return also comes after a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to submit its reports on its findings as regards the rape allegations leveled against his person.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now