BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in Osun State has dragged a pastor, Adeyemi Adeniran, before a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, over allegations of sexual exploitation, deceit and trafficking in persons.
Adeniran, Founder and General Overseer of the Great Tabernacle Miracle Church of God, Aga Area, Ido-Osun in Egbedore local Government Area of the state was charged with 12 counts.
The cleric, who is also an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, was accused of sexual abuse and exploitation of female members of his church in September 2021.
Some of the female members gave testimonies of how the clergyman molested them.
One of the victims, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, alleged that the accused person had, on different occasions, forced his victims to undergo abortion.
A civil society organisation reportedly took up the matter when it became known to the public.
The cleric, however, denied the allegations, pleading not guilty. He said that there were attempts by some elements to pull him and his ministry down.
The defence counsel, Abiodun Adeniran, urged the court to consider the defendant for administrative bail, which the presiding judge, Justice Nathaniel Emmanuel, approved.
The judge adjourned the case till January 31 for commencement of trial.
In an interview with The Point after the proceeding, prosecution counsel, Mrs. A. O. Amodi, said that justice would be served and expressed confidence that justice would be dispensed accordingly.
“The matter is still very fresh in court. It’s before my Lordship and when you file a suit; all you need to do is to wait for the conclusion of that matter. We are gradually proceeding to the trial proper. It’s before my Lord, all we need to do is to present our facts,” she said.
