By Damola Emmanuel
Celebrity photographer, Busola Dakolo, on Monday, knocked he bottom off insinuations that she made monetary demands in the suit she filed at the High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, against the founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.
Mrs. Dakolo had taken Fatoyinbo to the FCT High Court over alleged emotional distress she claimed she suffered as a result of an alleged rape by the Pentecostal Pastor about 16 years ago.
The celebrity photographer had caused a stir, about two months ago, when she released a video clip on social media in which she accused the COZA pastor of raping her when she was a teenager.
Mrs. Dakolo made the clarification, Monday, through a statement issued by her lawyer, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi, in Abuja.
Olajengbesi, in the statement, said the N10million being bandied by the media was “the cost of the action carried out by her lawyers, to wit, litigation fee.”
“Following the misinformation being circulated in print and social media on the pending suit filed by our client,” Olajengbesi continued, “it has become imperative to address and clarify the true state of affairs.
“The Nigeria Police Force is still investigating the allegation of rape made by our client against the person of Biodun Fatoyinbo. In furtherance of the police investigation, the suspect (Biodun Fatoyinbo) was confronted by the complainant (our client) on September 5, 2019 at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Area 10, Abuja during an investigation conference presided over by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mike Ogbizi. The police therefore have not taken anyone to court.
“However, our client, in furtherance of her civil rights, and in line with constitutional provisions, filed a civil suit against Biodun Fatoyinbo on September 6, 2019. The civil suit is independent of the criminal allegations and/or investigation of the police.”
“The suit has been the subject of several news headlines, albeit with a lot of misleading information. This missive is aimed at clarifying this misinformation and setting the records straight.
“Firstly, our client filed the civil suit against Biodun Fatoyinbo on September 6, 2019 at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and not the Federal High Court, as widely reported. As of the time of filing the suit, the same had yet to be assigned to a judge for hearing.
“Secondly, the court did not issue any summons on our client and the 14 days given to the defendant (Biodun Fatoyinbo) within which to enter appearance to the writ of summons commences from the date of personal service of the said suit on the person of Biodun Fatoyinbo and this certainly will be after the matter has been assigned to a judge.
“Thirdly, our client has not sought any monetary damages and/or compensation against Biodun Fatoyinbo in her reliefs. This is because our client’s reason for filing the civil suit against Biodun Fatoyinbo is, inter-alia, for the court to make pronouncements on her rights as well as Biodun’s liabilities and also to help other victims of sexual, physical and emotional abuse gain the courage to confront their abusers no matter how highly placed they may be.”