Pastor arraigned for alleged rape

A 23-year-old Celestial Church prophet, Adewale Adeleke, on Tuesday in
Lagos, appeared before a Yaba Magistrates' Court for alleged fraud and
rape.

Adeleke, who resides at No. 2 Ajibola Street, Agbado Ijaiye, Lagos was
arraigned on a four count of stealing, obtaining by false pretext,
impersonation and rape.

Prosecutor Chris Takim told the court that the accused committed the
offences on July 26 at 6pm at the premises of Original Inn Hotel,
Ebute Meta.

Takim said the accused approached his victim claiming to be
spiritually informed about her problems and had solutions to them
through a scheduled prayer session.

He said the complainant met him at the hotel on the scheduled
appointment were he obtained her mobile phone and N13,000 as
mobilisation fees.

"Adeleke collected her phones and N13,000 to begin the prayer session
with her and later forced her to strip naked as a prerequisite for her
prayer to be answered.

"Adeleke, thereafter unlawfully assaulted her and had sexual
intercourse with her without her consent," the prosecutor said.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 258, 285, 312 and 378
of the Criminal Laws if Lagos State, 2011.Section 258 prescribed life
imprisonment for any man who has unlawful sexual intercourse with a
woman or girl, without her consent.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Ariike Oshibayo, granted bail to the
accused in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Oshibayo adjourned the case till Aug. 16 for further hearing.