Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion church has declared that he is innocent of the rape allegations made against him by Busola Dakolo, wife of popular singer, Timi Dakolo.
In a public statement shared on his Instagram page, he said that he had never raped anyone in his life, not even as an unbeliever.
He captioned the press statement: “I have NEVER RAPED before, not even as an unbeliever!”
According to the statement, “I am aware that there has been a recent media publication on YouTube by YNaija operated and owned by RED Media Group which shows an interview by Chude Jideonwo with Busola Dakolo.
“Prior to now, we had adhered to our policy of ignoring rumours from social media accounts as we knew that several statements had been made to extort the church of money and myself through blackmail, harassment and intimidation. We have refused time and again to accede to their request, which has infuriated them over time, because of this they have gotten more aggressive.”
“Unlike previous statements where innuendos were used and there was no direct mention of myself or the Church, the recent video released on YouTube has now made direct criminal allegations against me in the interview granted by Busola Dakolo which are fallacious, non-existent and which are all denied in every measure.
Fatoyinbo stayed that: “As an individual and as a Church, we love and support people and we would never condone any form of abuse, harassment, or intimidation of anyone. I have never in my life raped anybody, even as an unbeliever and I’m absolutely innocent of this.”
“Busola Dakolo who has made this false allegation and her family attended the church during the early start of the church in Ilorin in 1999. I never had any private interactions with her beyond my pastoral duties. Looking at her status and that of her husband, I am dumbfounded why she would say such a thing.
“As expected under the ethics of Journalism, it would have been expected that I should be confronted with these false allegations prior to any publication, instead of resorting to the social media with the intent to ruin my reputation and bring down the church.”
According to the statement, “We will also not stand for criminal allegations made against me or the church. The leadership of the church and I have briefed our lawyers to commence criminal and civil actions against all individuals making such false allegations whether directly or by proxy. We will as a church pursue every measure within the ambit of the law to bring the culprits to justice.
“We are heard and will not be surprised to see more of such allegations by people who have been paid to continue in this line of blackmail, harassment and extortion, including those who may have been dismissed from their duties in the church on disciplinary grounds.”
“To all our members, and those supporting God’s work, I want to assure you that we will fight this and the Lord will vindicate us. This has always been intended to attack the church, this is the intent of the adversary; the intent is to destroy the church, so please stay focused and prayerful. God bless you. I celebrate you.”