ILORIN, NIGERIA — A Kwara State High Court has sentenced Prophet Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka, founder of the Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry, to life imprisonment for the systematic rape of underage congregation members.
Justice Hammed Aliyu Gegele delivered the verdict following an eight-count charge, finding the cleric guilty of rape and performing illegal abortions.
Trial Highlights and Findings
The prosecution presented 12 witnesses, detailing how Olayinka used his position of authority to abuse minors in the Agah area of Ganmo, Ifelodun Local Government Area. Evidence showed the cleric assaulted victims in the church, sometimes after vigils, and forced them to terminate pregnancies using dangerous substances. He reportedly compelled the victims to take oaths of secrecy, threatening them with death to ensure silence.
The court dismissed a bigamy charge but ordered the forfeiture of a pump-action shotgun found with the defendant.
Sentencing and Reaction
Condemning the abuse of spiritual authority, Justice Gegele sentenced Olayinka to life imprisonment for multiple counts of sexual assault against 13-year-olds, plus an additional 14 years for forced abortions.
The investigation was led by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Gender Unit. Kwara State Commandant, Abbas Mohammed, praised the victims for their bravery and reiterated the command’s commitment to prosecuting gender-based violence.
