A pastor named Adetunji Obatayo has been remanded in prison custody by an Ondo State Family Court for sexually assaulting his foster daughter and arranging abortion for her on three occasions.
The victim had been in the care of the pastor since 2020 when her parents entrusted her to him.
Obatayo, who is also the principal of the school attended by the 14-year-old victim, was apprehended by the state police after the victim disclosed the sexual abuse to her parents.
He was subsequently charged with three counts related to defilement and unlawfully causing abortion, resulting in the death of an unborn child.
The charges filed were in violation of Sections 218, 230, and 328 of the Criminal Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
During the court session, the victim testified that Obatayo had been engaging in sexual relations with her since she started living with him at the age of 10.
She disclosed, “My parents allowed me to live with the pastor for my upbringing. On the first day at his residence, he forcefully had sexual intercourse with me and warned me not to disclose it to anyone.”
“He impregnated me on three occasions and once provided me with N5,000 to purchase abortion pills after various failed attempts to prevent pregnancies. However, during the third pregnancy, he refused to provide the funds, leading me to steal the money for the pills.”
“Later, the pastor accused me of stealing his money for my personal use, resulting in the wrongful arrest of a boy from our school. I then informed my parents about the situation.”
The magistrate, B.A. Alphonso, ordered the pastor to be detained at the Olokuta Correctional Centre and the case file to be forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for guidance.
The victim was directed for rehabilitation, and the case was adjourned to August 29, 2024, for further proceedings.