Thursday, July 3, 2025 - Justice Abiola Soladoye of a Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, Lagos, has discharged a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Emmanuel Orekoya, accused of def!ling his 17-year-old daughter.
The judge dismissed the case against Orekoya for want of
diligent prosecution, holding that the prosecution failed to present witnesses
in court to prove the charge against him.
The court therefore discharged the defendant of the
two-count charge of bordering on def!lement and s3xual assault by penetration,
brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
Justice Soladoye held that the prosecution is a colossal
waste of time, as there was no single witness in court to testify against the
pastor, despite 10 adjournments.
"This
case is struck out for want of diligent prosecution. After the arraignment of
the defendant on February 26 2024, to date, making a total of 10 adjournments,
no witness has ever come up before this court to testify.
“It is right
that justice delayed is justice denied. The prosecution is at liberty to
re-arrest the defendant and bring him to justice whenever they have assembled
their witnesses to prosecute this case,” he said.
The pastor, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.
0 Comments