A pastor and legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, has been re-arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja over an allegation of indecent treatment of a child.
The defendant was re-arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on indecent treatment of a minor (girl) brought against him by the Lagos State government.
The charge alleged that the defendant, who also serves as a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, indecently assaulted the minor at the Iwaya area of Lagos by fondling her breasts.
The prosecution counsel, Funmilola Aluko, told the court that the defendant had unlawfully fondled the breasts of the minor.
According to her, the offence committed contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, defence counsel, Morenikeji Oyekunle, prayed the court to allow her client to continue on the bail earlier granted by a Magistrate’s Court, arguing that he had complied with all conditions and was not a flight risk, being a lawyer and clergyman.
But Aluko opposed the bail request, urging the court to review the terms of release.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi upheld the bail conditions previously granted by the Magistrate’s Court and directed the defence counsel to ensure the defendant’s presence at every adjourned date.
Following the ruling, Ms Aluko informed the court that the complainant, now an adult, was present and ready to testify.
She recounted that in 2010, she moved in with the defendant’s family to improve her academic performance and her participation in the choir.
The witness alleged that the defendant later began to molest her sexually and physically while she lived with him.
She recounted incidents of sexual assault and maltreatment, including being subjected to harsh punishment for poor academic results.
The witness said she later ran away from the defendant’s house and informed her parents.
She added that she finally reported the matter in 2023, after a similar incident involving another minor at the same church allegedly occurred.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, she said that she first confided in her class teacher, identified as Mrs Akingbeoyewa, about the alleged assault while still living with the defendant.
After the testimony, the defence sought an adjournment to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the witness’s evidence.
The prosecution objected, arguing that further delays could cause the witness emotional distress.
The judge granted the adjournment but invoked Section 193 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), awarding a cost of N50,000 in favour of the witness, payable by the defence before the next trial date.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the trial to December 9, 2025, for continuation.
