Kwara Pastor Jailed for Life Over Rape of Minors, Gets Additional 14 Years for Illegal Abortion

A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced the General Overseer of Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry, Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka, to life imprisonment over multiple rape charges involving minors.

The judgment, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Hammed Aliyu Gegele, also handed the cleric an additional 14-year prison sentence for illegal abortion linked to the case.

The conviction followed months of investigation by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, through its Gender Unit in Kwara State after allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation surfaced in Agah Village, Ilorin South Local Government Area.

Authorities said the suspect was first arrested in May 2024 after complaints involving underage victims triggered an investigation by the command.

After completing its probe, the NSCDC transferred the matter to the Kwara State Ministry of Justice for prosecution, a move that eventually led to the court’s ruling.

Justice Gegele found the defendant guilty on several counts relating to rape and unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, describing the offences as grave violations against vulnerable children.

Reacting to the judgment, NSCDC Commandant Abbas Nda Mohammed praised the victims for speaking up despite intimidation, threats, and emotional trauma linked to the case.

He also commended officers attached to the Gender Unit for what he described as a diligent and professional investigation that helped secure the conviction.

The command further applauded the Kwara State Ministry of Justice for sustaining the prosecution process and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children and vulnerable persons from sexual and gender-based violence.

According to the NSCDC, the agency will continue pursuing offenders regardless of their social, religious, or professional status.