Pastor, Lawyer re-arraigned for alleged indecent assault of minor in Lagos

A pastor and legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, was on Wednesday re-arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

The Lagos State Government charged Akanni with one count of indecent assault, accusing him of fondling the breasts of the minor in the Iwaya area of Lagos. Prosecuting counsel, Funmilola Aluko, told the court that the act contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, who is also a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Defence counsel, Morenikeji Oyekunle, asked the court to allow her client to continue on the bail earlier granted by a Magistrate’s Court, stating that he had met all conditions and was not a flight risk. However, the prosecution opposed the request, urging the court to review the terms.

Justice Oshodi upheld the existing bail terms and ordered the defence to ensure the defendant’s presence at subsequent proceedings.

During the hearing, the prosecution called its first witness — the complainant, now 27 years old — who alleged that the defendant molested her when she lived with his family as a child.

She testified that her father, a member of the defendant’s church, had arranged for her to stay with the pastor in 2010 to improve her academics and participation in church activities. However, she claimed that Akanni began to sexually and physically abuse her, punishing her severely whenever she performed poorly in school.

The witness said she eventually ran away and reported the incident to her parents, but officially lodged a complaint in 2023 after learning of a similar case involving another minor.

Under cross-examination, she revealed that she first confided in her class teacher, Mrs. Akingbeoyewa, about the abuse.

Following her testimony, the defence requested an adjournment to obtain a Certified True Copy of her evidence. The prosecution objected, saying further delay could cause emotional distress to the witness.

Justice Oshodi granted the adjournment but ordered the defence to pay N50,000 in costs to the witness under Section 193 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

The case was adjourned to December 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.