The Kwara State High Court has sentenced Prophet Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka, a cleric and General Overseer of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry in Agah, Ganmo area of Ilorin, to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting three underage members of his congregation.
The court also imposed an additional 14-year jail term on the convict for illegal abortions linked to pregnancies arising from the offences.
Delivering judgment, trial judge, Justice H.A. Gegele, held that the prosecution had successfully proved multiple charges including unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, rape, and illegal abortion, while the allegation of bigamy was not established.
The court noted that the prosecution called 12 witnesses and tendered several exhibits during the trial. Key testimony from victims indicated that the cleric allegedly exploited his position of authority within the mission house to carry out the offences, while also allegedly compelling them to keep silent through threats and religious coercion.
On February 11, 2026, the prosecution team led by Chief State Counsel Issa Zakari cross-examined the defendant and his witnesses before adopting final written addresses, after which the matter was adjourned for judgment.
In his ruling, Justice Gegele strongly condemned the conduct of the convict, describing him in court as “a pedophile and philanderer whose conduct should be deprecated by all and sundry in the society.”
The court further ordered the forfeiture of a pump-action gun recovered from the convict to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Reacting to the ruling, officials of the Kwara State Ministry of Justice said the judgment reflects the commitment of the justice system to ensuring accountability and securing justice for victims of sexual violence in Kwara State.
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