Pastor Sentenced to Life for Assaulting Minors in Kwara

On Wednesday, a Kwara State High Court in Ilorin sentenced Pastor Ajiboy Olayinka of the Divine Land Joint Prayer Ministry to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting three minors within church premises. Justice Ham Gegel delivered the judgment, finding Olayinka guilty of multiple offenses, including unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, illegal abortion, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The court heard that Olayinka exploited his position as a religious leader to manipulate and sexually abuse the underage girls entrusted to his care. Victims testified that he threatened them to keep the abuse secret, including compelling them to swear oaths of secrecy.

The court also noted that Olayinka had impregnated one of the victims and forced her to terminate the pregnancy. He faced eight counts of charges, and the prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel Issa Zakari, presented 12 witnesses and several exhibits to establish the case against him.

The court imposed three separate life sentences on Olayinka for his crimes.