A Lagos pastor and lawyer was re-arraigned for allegedly indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl by fondling her breasts, a charge he has pleaded not guilty to.
LAGOS – A pastor and legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, was re-arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on a one-count charge of indecent treatment of a child.
The Lagos State Government alleged that Akanni, a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, indecently assaulted a 14-year-old girl by fondling her breasts in the Iwaya area. The prosecution counsel, Funmilola Aluko, stated the offence contravenes Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The defendant pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, the defence counsel, Morenikeji Oyekunle, requested the court to uphold the defendant’s existing bail, citing his compliance and status as a lawyer and clergyman. Aluko opposed the request, seeking a review of the bail terms. Justice Oshodi upheld the previous bail conditions but directed the defence to ensure the defendant’s attendance at all proceedings.
The complainant, now 27, testified, alleging the abuse began in 2010 when she was eight and lived with the defendant’s family. She stated, “He would assault me and subject me to severe punishment whenever I performed poorly in school.” She reported fleeing his home and officially lodging a complaint in 2023 after learning of a similar alleged incident.
The case was adjourned to December 9, 2025, for continuation, with the court awarding a cost of N50,000 against the defence for the adjournment.