The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, on Thursday said the embattled Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo refused to appear before its panel investigating the rape allegation against him.
Busola Dakolo had accused Fatoyinbo of raping her 20 years ago in Ilorin, Kwara State when she was still 16 years old.
The PFN said because he refused to appear before the panel, the probe had been declared inconclusive.
According to PFN National Publicity Secretary, Bishop Emma Isong, who spoke with newsmen in Lagos on Thursday, Busola and her husband, Timi Dakolo appeared before the panel while Fatoyinbo did not.
He however said the panel could not conclude its work because Fatoyinbo refused to show up despite “several invitations and efforts.”
“The panel met for over one month and interfaced with parties involved in the matter. Unfortunately, all attempts to meet with Fatoyinbo failed despite many efforts we made.”
Asked what efforts they made specifically, he said Fatoyinbo was invited through letters, calls and proxies without any success.
“Several efforts were made. Several calls were made but he rebuffed us. He shunned the invitation of the panel to defend himself.”
He said since the accused was absent, it would be impossible for the panel to conclude on its investigation.
PFN however commended the Dakolos for showing up at the panel.
“PFN appreciates the respect that Mrs. Dakolo and her husband accorded the panel by showing up and interacting with members, ” Isong said.
He expressed surprise for the Fatoyinbo snub as he had asked the body to intervene during the heat of the accusation.
Dakolo accused Fatoyinbo of raping her 20 years ago when she was a 16-year-old attending the church with her family in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.
The accusation attracted public outcry and protests in the Abuja headquarters and Lagos branch of the church following which Fatoyinbo stepped aside from the pulpit on July 1 to allow for investigation.
He denied the accusation, saying he had never raped a woman all his life.
He however returned to the pulpit on August 5, sparking another round of public outcry.
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