COZA rape scandal
Pastor Poju Oyemade
Pastor of Covenant Christian Centre, Pastor Poju Oyemade has explained the role he played in the rape scandal that rocked his ministry colleague, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.
Fatoyinbo in the last two weeks has been in the eye of the storm following a rape allegation by Busola Dakolo.
The rape offense was said to have been committed about 20 years ago. Dakolo’s media interview which revealed during which she talked about the alleged rape has been the subject of discussion on the social media in the last two weeks.
Reacting Oyemade said the fallout of the rape scandal is a consequence of the defective structure of the Pentecostal movement.
In a widely circulated statement online, Oyemade said he was compelled to step into the alleged rape scandal when well-meaning people requested to know where he stood on the issue.
Commenting on the rape scandal he said, “I could only watch the tape by Busola Dakolo for a few minutes, it was difficult to sit through it. From what I heard it is impossible not to be heart broken and sympathise with her. She must have gone through a lot and then to sit to tape her experience must have been very painful. She is today a wife and mother of three to have to relive a 20yr-old experience.”
He said “I immediately contacted the spiritual leader in the Body of Christ I believe Pastor Biodun defers in authority to, to wade into the issue and bring about a decision.
“He informed me his position. It was that Pst. Biodun Fatoyinbo should first step down from the pulpit indefinitely, suspend 7days of glory and make a public statement. These he made known to him directly in an hour. This should serve as the first step. He informed me that was the position and asked my opinion.
We had 3 objectives in mind.
1. Justice
2. Healing
3. Redemption.
I have been informed that the decision to step down and cancel the 7 days of Glory have been made.”
On the rape scandal fallout Oyemade then noted that the “It is apparent that the manner in which our Pentecostal Churches were/are born with an individual receiving a call directly from God and we all operating largely as independent bodies, our governing structures are not as strong as in the orthodox church settings with the exemption of Pentecostal denominations where you are appointed a pastor and can be easily sanctioned.
“This however makes it imperative that we go an extra mile to show a high level of compassion and sense of responsibility for people placed under our care or else what has brought our great growth may be what will destroy us.”
He then apologized on behalf of the Pentecostal churches for those who have been abused and exposed. He said, For those who have been abused and exposed in our independent Pentecostal structures, I deeply apologise and we will seek to build stronger structures through peer reviews and in our relationships.”
The rape scandal has since formed the centre point of discussion in the social media. Pastor Fatoyinbo has also stepped down from his position as pastor in compliance with the intervention of his fathers in faith. it is hoped that in the coming days the church will be able to stand to its feet and ward off the scandal that has rocked it to the bottom.
