From Richard Adejare, Abuja
Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, founder of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly has stepped down.
He announced his leave of absence from the pulpit via his verified Instagram page.
He wrote, “The past few days have been sobering for me. I have taken time to pray and seek spiritual counsel from Christian leaders around the world, who feel very concerned about the ongoing reports in the media. I have solicited their guidance on actions, I should take that are honouring to our Lord Jesus Christ and the work, he has called me to do.
“Drawing from their counsel and that of the leadership of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly and owing to my love for God’s word and sacred honour of my calling, I have decided to take a leave of absence from the pulpit of the church.”
He went on to ask for prayers for himself and his congregation “during these turbulent times”.
Fatoyinbo was on Friday accused of rape by Busola, wife of popular singer, Timi Dakolo.
She alleged that the pastor raped her several years back in Ilorin.
The pastor had previously denied the allegations on Friday night, saying he would not rape any woman, ‘not even as an unbeliever’. He also threatened a lawsuit.
But yesterday, protesters had in a coordinated protest stormed COZA Headquaters in Abuja and Lagos, calling for the church leader’s resignation. The demonstrators, largely women, dressed in white T-shirts and carried placards bearing a variety of condemnations of rape against Mr Fatoyinbo.
They also used black sellotape to gag themselves in an apparent reverence to victims of rape and other violent sexual encounters.
