COZA Rape Saga: PFN Declares Probe Inconclusive, Accuses Fatoyinbo of Snubbing its Panel

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Thursday, declared its probe into the rape saga involving Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, and celebrity photographer, Busola Dakolo, as inconclusive.

The body, at a pres conference, said the five-man investigative panel it set up sat for over a month with presentations and attendance by key stakeholders such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), church leaders and others.

But while Mrs. Dakolo and her husband, Timi Dakolo, honoured the invitation to appear before the panel, and attended the sittings, the embattled pastor snubbed the panel.

Bishop Emma Isong, National Publicity Secretary of the PFN, who briefed the press on the matter Fatoyinbo’s absence impeded its investigation and was, therefore, unable to conclude its work.

“The panel met for over one month and interfaced with parties involved in the matter,” Isong said. “Unfortunately, all attempts to meet with Fatoyinbo failed despite many efforts we made.”

Specifically, Isong revealed that Fatoyinbo was invited through letters, calls and proxies but  he shunned all.

“Several efforts were made,”Isong stressed. “Several calls were made but he rebuffed us. He shunned the invitation of the panel to defend himself.”

Consequently, the panel submitted that since the accused was absent, it would be impossible for the panel to conclude on its investigation. Yet, when the rape controversy was boiling, Isong observed, Pastor Fatoyinbo ran to the PFN for intervention.

The PFN was, however, full of praises for the Dakolos for honouring the panel’s invitation and appearing at its sittings.

“PFN appreciates the respect that Mrs. Dakolo and her husband accorded the panel by showing up and interacting with members,” the panel said

Mrs. Dakolo had accused Pastor Fatoyinbo of raping her 20 years ago when she was a 16-year-old and attending the church with her family in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The accusation triggered public opprobrium and protests in the Abuja headquarters and Lagos branch of the church as a result of which Pastor Fatoyinbo stepped aside from the pulpit on July 1 to allow investigation.

He denied the accusation, saying he had never raped a woman all his life.

He, however, returned to the pulpit on August 5, sparking another round of controversy and public outrage.