Counsel to Busola Dakolo and public interest lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has clarified the issues regarding Busola’s stand in the rape claims made against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.
In a statement obtained by journalists on Friday, Olajensbesi stated that the clarification was very important following the misinformation being circulated in print and social media. According to his statement, the N10million quoted by various media as compensation demanded by Busola from Fatoyinbo as compensation is for the cost of action carried out by her lawyers otherwise called litigation fee. The fee was not sought for monetary damage by Busola. He also stated that “The Nigeria police force is still investigating the allegation of rape made by our client against the person of Biodun Fatoyinbo”.
Olajensbesi said that a civil suit had earlier been filled by Busola, in line with her civil rights and constitutional provision, on September 6th at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and not the Federal High Court Lagos, as widely reported by various media houses. This civil suit is independent of the criminal allegations and/or investigation of the police, he claims.
“it is against the ethics of the legal profession to make statements on the substance of the matter that is still in court”. As such, statements on issues surrounding the action would not be made public.
Double Traffic
ETN24 observed that media houses which shared the story with the sensational headline “Busola Dakolo demands 10 milllion Naira from Pastor Fatoyinbo” where the same outfits which ran her lawyer and her husband’s denial without making any adjustment to their previous story.
Pulse.ng used two titles in sharing Timi Dakolo’s rejection of the story. One search engines and social media they appear to be doubling down on the initial story, but the same link leads to a different headline which reads “Do I look like 10 million Naira is my problem? – Timi Dakolo reacts to compensation demands”
Jumping on the half story, Nollywood Actress, Tonto Dikkeh mocked the whole event stating that money is the root of all evils and asking for a Krest. Krest is the drink Ms. Busola claimed the Pastor gave her after raping her. It soon became a subject for jokes many consider insensitive.
Sahara Reporters left no doubt that they were aware of the true context of the story before opting to run with a headline that suggested Busola demanded the money as damages.
A piece titled “Rape: Busola Dakolo Demands N10m From Pastor Fatoyinbo” had the following paragraph as part of the report,
“Busola Dakolo has asked the founder and Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Biodun Fatoyinbo, to tender a public apology to her for allegedly raping her when she was a teenager, according to court papers seen by Channels Television. She also demanded that the clergyman pays N10m as cost fee for the case.“
What Busola is actually seeking
Busola, through her lawyer, is also seeking court order to ensure that Fatoyinbo publishes a clearly worded apology on the front pages of at least two national Newspapers and two national television stations, which must run for seven days without interruption.
On Monday 6th, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that an FCT High Court in Abuja had served Fatoyinbo a Writ of Summons ordering him to appear before it within 14 days of the service, otherwise judgment may be given in its absence. Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre(KICC), Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, may appear to testify in court, as he had been listed among the witnesses Busola wishes will establish her case.
Two months earlier, Busola was featured in an exclusive interview on YNaija with Chude Jideonwo; a lawyer and journalist. In the interview, she narrated how she was allegedly raped, as a teenager, by Fatoyinbo. She claimed he had forcefully sex with her on Sept, 23 and 26th 2002. According to Busola, the act has caused her emotional distress and has amounted to an intentional conflict of emotional distress. This viral video had invoked a lot of comments and backlash on both parties from Nigerians.
Fatoyinbo had been invited and interrogated at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja as at August, following this issue. He was however released on bail. A panel set up by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to investigate the rape claims had Fatoyinbo missing in attendance, with the claim that he was advised by his lawyers not to appear because the matter is already before the Court.
