Busola Dakolo gives update on rape case against Fatoyinbo

Busola Dakolo, a celebrity photographer, has given an update on the rape case she filed against Biodun Fatoyinbo, senior pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), in 2019.

Busola, who is wife to Timi Dakolo, a gospel singer, has been enmeshed in a protracted legal battle with the clergyman after she had accused him of forcefully having carnal knowledge of her twice as a teenager.

In November, an Abuja high court had fined her lawyer N1 million while the case was dismissed but she had vowed to approach a superior court on the matter.

But as matters pertaining to rape cases continued to gain traction in the country, Busola took to her Instagram page on Thursday to share a document capturing the latest development on her claims against the embattled COZA clergyman.

She said the police report on her rape claims against Fatoyinbo has been handed over to the ministry of justice for prosecution.

The celebrity photographer also said she knew that many people became dispirited over the court’s verdict. She however, noted that awareness itself is victory.

“It is now officially one year since I came out and told the most important story of my life up until this point. That when I was a teenager, Biodun Fatoyinbo violently raped me,” she wrote.

“It wasn’t just me. In the media, on social platforms and in private, women have been sharing stories of how this man either destroyed their lives or tried to. 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, how much women are at risk, and why we need to ensure justice for those who speak out.

“Awareness is victory. But we are pushing to another great victory: Justice. When the courts last year decided to rule in favour of the man who assaulted me, people were crestfallen. I understood.”

Advertisement

View this post on Instagram

It is now officially one year after since I came out and told the most important story of my life up until this point. That when I was a teenager, Biodun Fatoyinbo violently raped me. It wasn’t just me. In the media, on social platforms and in private, women have been sharing stories of how this man either destroyed their lives or tried to. 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 to another even great victory: Justice. When the courts last year decided to rule in favour of the man who assaulted me, 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 that may take years because the Nigerian legal system isn’t wired to help sexual abuse victims get justice. Today, I have a major update. The police has concluded its investigation. And handed over its report to the Ministry of Justice in Abuja for onward prosecution of Biodun Fatoyinbo. He clearly has a case to answer. But there has been silence from the ministry. Silence. A loud silence! We have written a letter but for over a month we have no response. Instead, my lawyers and my family have heard about all manner of manipulation and foul play being attempted to stop the ministry from beginning prosecution immediately. Or even to get the police report manipulated. My name is Busola Dakolo, a survivor of one of the most horrific acts -rape. My voice will not be shut down. My case will not be silenced. I am thankful to those in and out of the police, the ministry and the corridors of power who have called in solidarity and to reassure 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. #wearetired #notinmychurch #justice

A post shared by Busola Dakolo (@busoladakolo) on Jun 4, 2020 at 7:01am PDT

“What they didn’t know is that, before we even began, we prepared for a long haul battle that may take years because Nigeria’s legal system isn’t wired to help sexual abuse victims get justice.

“Today, I have a major update. The police have concluded its investigation. And handed over its report to the Ministry of Justice in Abuja for onward prosecution of Biodun Fatoyinbo.”

Busola however, lamented that the ministry of justice has been silence on the “investigation and onward prosecution of the cleric”.

“He clearly has a case to answer. But there has been silence from the ministry. Silence. A loud silence! We have written a letter but for over a month we have no response,” she wrote.

“My lawyers, family have heard about all manner of manipulation and foul play being attempted to stop the ministry from beginning prosecution or even to get the police report manipulated.”