Busola Dakolo, the wife of singer Timi Dakolo, has given an update on her rape case against clergyman Biodun Fatoyinbo.
It can be recalled that in June 2019, she publicly accused the clergyman of violently raping her when she was a teenager and was worshipping in his church in Kwara state. She took legal action against him, but the court dismissed the case.
In a recent update posted on her Instagram page, Busola shared a copy of the letter she received from the police, indicating that they have completed investigations and forwarded the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPP) for legal advice and further necessary action.
She alleged that the Ministry of Justice has received the case file for Fatoyinbo’s prosecution but has remained silent. She mentioned that her team sent a letter to the Ministry of Justice over a month ago, but they have not received any response yet.
Read the letter from the police sent to her and her post below
”It has now been officially one year since I came forward and shared the most important story of my life up until this point. I revealed that when I was a teenager, Biodun Fatoyinbo violently raped me. I was not the only one. In the media, on social platforms, and in private, women have been sharing stories of how this man either destroyed their lives or attempted to do so.
A lot has happened in that time: and my heart is glad that consciousness continues to be raised about the great evil that sexual abuse is, and how widespread it is, and how much women are at risk, and why we need to ensure justice for those who find the strength to speak out.
Awareness is victory. But we are pushing for an even greater victory: Justice.
When the courts ruled in favor of the man who assaulted me last year, people were crestfallen. I understood. What they didn’t know, however, is that before we even began, we had been prepared for a long-haul battle, which may take years because the Nigerian legal system isn’t designed to help sexual abuse victims get justice.
Today, I have a significant update. The police have concluded their investigation and handed over their report to the Ministry of Justice in Abuja for the onward prosecution of Biodun Fatoyinbo. He clearly has a case to answer. However, there has been silence from the ministry. Silence. A loud silence!
We have written a letter but have not received any response for over a month. Instead, my lawyers and my family have heard about all manner of manipulation and foul play being attempted to stop the ministry from starting the prosecution immediately, or even to manipulate the police report.
My name is Busola Dakolo, a survivor of one of the most horrific acts -rape. My voice will not be silenced. My case will not be shut down. I am thankful to those in and out of the police, the ministry, and the corridors of power who have called in solidarity and reassured me that they are monitoring the ministry of justice and that this pressure to bury the case will not succeed.
I am updating the Nigerian public because you all made my story matter. You joined me to say enough is enough. With you, this has been an easier process.”