Absence of witnesses stalls trial of pastor who allegedly defiled 17-year-old daughter

The trial of a pastor, Mr. Emmanuel Orekoya, docked at the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for defiling his 17-year-old daughter, was stalled on Wednesday because of the absence of prosecution witnesses.

Orekoya was first arraigned on Feb. 27 before Justice Abiola Soladoye on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration.

The prosecution had alleged that Orekoya committed the offence in 2017 in Itire, Surulere, part of Lagos.

It told the court that the pastor allegedly defiled his daughter by inserting his fingers into her vagina and also by inserting his penis in her mouth.

The offences contravened the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2015), the prosecution submitted.

The pastor pleaded not guilty to the charge, however.

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 had reached out to the witnesses on Tuesday, and they had promised to be present in court, but they were absent.

Soneye asked for an adjournment, to which the defence counsel did not object.

Presiding Justice Soladoye consequently adjourned the hearing to June 5.