The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered that petitions from the Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Abuja, Biodun
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered that petitions from the Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Abuja, Biodun Fatoyinbo, and the Dakolos, be merged and investigated at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Security operatives had besieged Dakolo’s residence during the weekend “to deliver a letter inviting him and Busola, his wife, over the rape allegations” she levelled against Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of God Assembly (COZA). The action of the police had sparked reactions, with Aisha Buhari, the first lady, asking the IGP to say no to rape
Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is a lawyer to the Dakolos said that the IG had assured that justice would be done in the matter. While denying that the police authorities had refused to act on the Dakolos’ petition, the human rights lawyer said the case would be brought to Lagos because the family were the first to petition the police.
In a statement on Monday, Frank Mba, police spokesman, said the IGP ordered a rigorous and discreet scrutiny into the police operation to ascertain its conformity with Police Standard Operating Procedure and International Best Practices. He added that Adamu also re-assigned the investigation into the rape allegation to Michael Ogbizi, deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) in charge of the force criminal investigation department (FCID).
“The DIG is also expected to take over the investigation of the complaint made by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo against the Dakolos in addition to providing a personal supervision to all facets of the investigation to ensure justice and fair-hearing to all the parties, with each case being treated purely on its merit,” Mba said.
Dakolo had condemned the siege which he described as an attempt to abduct myself and my wife for telling the truth. He had also accused the police of attempting to intimidate him and Busola.
“All we have asked is for this matter to be duly investigated. I have noted with increasing alarm, how my life, my wife’s life and the lives of our children have been put at risk by unscrupulous persons,” he had said.
Busola had alleged that Fatoyinbo raped her as a minor, an allegation the pastor denied.
