The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced the General Overseer of Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry, Prophet Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka, to life imprisonment for raping three underage members of his congregation within the church premises. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, May 13.
The convict received three life sentences for separate charges involving unlawful sexual intercourse with 13-year-old minors. The offenses took place at the church's mission house in the Agah area of Ganmo, where he served as a spiritual leader.
In addition to the life terms, Olayinka was also sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegally terminating several pregnancies of his victims and for threatening them to keep silent about the abuse.
Justice Hammed Aliyu Gegele, the presiding judge, stated that the convict used his clerical position to turn his victims into sexual objects, causing both physical and mental harm. The court recounted how one victim described being taken to the generator house, where the prophet used anointing oil as a lubricant to forcefully have sex with her. He also woke her up after vigils for repeated sexual acts.
The defendant faced an eight-count charge, including criminal conspiracy, unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, illegal abortion, and unlawful possession of firearms. The charges were brought under several legal provisions: Sections 97, 235, and 283 of the Penal Code; Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, 2004; and Section 31(2) of the Kwara State Child Rights Law, 2006.
During the trial, the prosecution presented twelve witnesses and various exhibits. The victims testified that the convict applied anointing oil to their private parts in a ritualistic manner before forcing them into sexual abuse inside the mission house. They also stated that he made them swear to secrecy on the Bible, warning that disclosure would lead to their deaths.
On February 11, 2026, the prosecution team, led by Chief State Counsel Issa Zakari, rigorously cross-examined the defendant and his witnesses. After the defense concluded, written addresses were filed and adopted, and the case was adjourned for judgment.
In his verdict, Justice Gegele ruled that the prosecution had proven the offenses of unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, rape, and illegal abortion beyond a reasonable doubt, but failed to establish the charge of bigamy. The court consequently discharged the defendant on the bigamy count.
The judge described the convict as a pedophile and philanderer whose conduct should be condemned by all members of society. He also ordered the forfeiture of a pump-action gun recovered from the defendant to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
