Updated: Protesters lockdown COZA environs over rape allegations against Pastor Fatoyinbo, clash with DSS, Police, Army


Protesters in their hundreds on Sunday morning thronged Guzape Hills, Abuja where the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) church is located to demand an investigation into allegations of sexual assault levelled against lead pastor of COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo by Busola, wife of renowned Nigerian singer, Timi Dakolo.
Mrs. Dakolo who alleged that she was 16-years-old at the time of the alleged incident, recent revealed this in a press interview.

The protesters carrying placards with various inscriptions such as, “Say no to rape in church,” “Rape is evil,” “Rapists must be held accountable,” and “I Stand With Busola,” among others, demanded an investigation into the issue from the federal government.As early as 6: 30 am, on Sunday, the protester had started gathering at the NNPC filing station at Guzape, where the protest commenced.
They marched through to COZA which is about three kilometers from the petrol station, blocking all adjoining routes to the church.Our correspondent observed that as the protesters approached COZA premises, they were met with a stiff resistance by hooded operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), police and Nigerian Army. 


Defiant, the protesters pushed through the human and vehicular barricades that were put on their way and eventually stopped a few meters to the church, from where they chanted anti-Fatoyinbo songs, asking for an impartial inquiry into the matter. 
Addressing journalists at the church premises, co-convener of the protest, Bulky Shonibare, said the “repetitiveness” of the allegations against Pastor Fatoyinbo, had become worrisome, adding that an urgent action must be taken by the authorities to investigate the issues.In an aggregated demand of over 100 coalition of Civil Society Organisations committed to ending sexual violence against women, asked that, “The Board and leadership of COZA must commence investigation into the allegation of rape levelled by Busola Dakolo and any other member of the church against its lead Pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo.


“While the investigation is being carried out, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo must be asked to step down from any leadership role in the church to avoid partiality.””The continuous harassment and intimidation of Busola and Timi Dakolo, and other victims must stop forthwith,” the group submitted.
Meanwhile, a counter-protest ensued while the “Church Too Movement” demonstration was going on.
The country protesters carrying placards in defence of Pastor Fatoyinbo, described the allegations as “unfounded”.
Reacting to the counter-protest, the Executive Director of Make A Difference (MAD) initiative, Mr. Lemmy Ughegbe, said such an action only gave credence to the allegations that had been levelled against the COZA pastor.


The co-coveners of the Church Too Movement, Jekein Lato-Unah and Olamide Apejoye, in their response to the counter-protesters, alleged that they were sponsored by sympathisers of the embattled COZA pastor to cause confusion over the message against sexual violence against women, especially minors.

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