A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced the General Overseer of the Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry, Ajiboye Olayinka, to life imprisonment after convicting him of sexually assaulting minors within his church premises.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, May 12, by Justice Hammed Gegele, who also found the cleric guilty of additional charges, including illegal abortion and unlawful possession of firearms.
Court Condemns Abuse of Spiritual Authority
Justice Gegele ruled that the convict abused his position as a spiritual leader to prey on vulnerable underage girls under his care. The judge described the offences as deeply disturbing, noting the cleric’s manipulation of the trust placed in him as a religious leader.
“The convict turned his victims into sex machines, abusing them physically and mentally,” the judge declared.
Victims Subjected to Intimidation and Coercion
During proceedings, the court heard how the cleric repeatedly impregnated some of the victims and allegedly forced them to terminate the pregnancies while warning them against speaking out. The victims were also subjected to psychological pressure, including being made to swear secrecy oaths using the Bible under threats.
“One of the victims narrated how the defendant took her to a generator house where he forcefully had sexual intercourse with her after applying anointing oil as lubricant,” Justice Gegele said.
The court further noted that one victim testified she was repeatedly abused after night vigils conducted at the church.
Court Hands Multiple Sentences
Justice Gegele described the convict as “a paedophile and philanderer,” adding that his actions were unacceptable in any civilised society. For offences relating to unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, the court imposed three separate life sentences. The judge also sentenced the cleric to 14 years’ imprisonment for illegal abortions connected to the pregnancies.
