An Ilorin-based cleric, Prophet Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and other sexual offences involving minors in Kwara State.
Justice Hammed Aliyu Gegele of the Kwara State High Court delivered the judgment on Wednesday, convicting the founder of Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry on multiple counts bordering on rape and unlawful sexual relations with underage victims.
The court also sentenced the cleric to 14 years’ imprisonment for illegal abortion linked to the offences.
The conviction followed investigations launched by the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps through its Gender Unit after the suspect’s arrest in May 2024.
According to the NSCDC, the cleric was apprehended over allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of minors in Agah Village, Ilorin South Local Government Area of the state.
Following the conclusion of investigations, the matter was transferred to the Kwara State Ministry of Justice for prosecution, which eventually secured the conviction before the court.
Reacting to the judgment, the Kwara State NSCDC Commandant, Abbas Nda Mohammed, commended the victims for speaking out despite alleged threats, intimidation and emotional trauma.
He also praised officers of the Gender Unit for their diligence and professionalism during the investigation, noting that their efforts were instrumental to the successful prosecution of the case.
Mohammed further reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable persons, stressing that perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence would be prosecuted regardless of their status in society.