Absence of witnesses stalls trial of Lagos pastor who allegedly raped and impregnated his 17-year-old daughter.

The trial of a Pastor Emmanuel Orekoya at the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for defiling his 17-year-old daughter was stalled on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, because of the absence of prosecution witnesses. Orekoya was first arraigned on February 27, before Justice Abiola Soladoye on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration in 2017 in the Itire area of Surulere, Lagos. NAN reports that the prosecution also told the court that the pastor allegedly defiled his daughter by inserting his fingers into her vagina and also by inserting his penis into her mouth contrary to the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2015). The pastor pleaded not guilty to the charges. At the resumption of hearing on Wednesday, the prosecuting State Counsel, Mr Olusola Soneye, told the court that his three witnesses could not make it to court. He explained that he reached out to the witnesses on Tuesday and that they promised to be pre-sent in court. Soneye then asked for an adjournment to which the defence counsel did not object. Justice Soladoye adjourned to June 5.