Embattled COZA Pastor Fatoyinbo cancels upcoming programme as protests gain ground

Embattled COZA Pastor Fatoyinbo cancels upcoming programme as protests gain ground

Senior pastor of the Commonwealth or Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo has cancelled the church’s upcoming week-long programme as protests seeking his dismissal gather momentum.
   
   
   
       
       
           
               
                   

Senior pastor of the Commonwealth or Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo has cancelled the church’s upcoming week-long programme as protests seeking his dismissal gather momentum.

               
           
               
                   

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event tagged ‘7DG’ was billed to hold from July 1 to July 7 was cancelled on Sunday during the church service with protesters holding a peaceful demonstration around the premises.

               
           
               
                   

The protests tagged #ChurchToo and #PastorStepDown are currently being held at COZA branches in Lagos and Abuja with participants urging the church to suspend the clergy activities of Fatoyinbo pending investigations into the alleged rape accusations.

               
           
               
                   

NAN recalls that on Friday, Busola Dakolo, celebrity photographer and wife of singer, Timi Dakolo accused Fatoyinbo of raping her at 16 in a now-viral video interview.

               
           
               
                   

                 

“There’s a rapist on the altar” Protesters chant as they stage a protest against the COZA pastor today in Lagos
Swipe ➡️➡️
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#PulseNigeria #PulseLive #BiodunFatoyinbo #COZA

               

               
           
               
                   

Dakolo detailed the events that led to the alleged rape, which she revealed happened twice in one week. The allegations caused an uproar on social media with some Nigerians calling on Fatoyinbo to respond.

               
           
               
                   

NAN reports that although Fatoyinbo denied the allegations in an official response, protesters still urged him to step down as pastor of the church until the investigations are concluded.

               
           
               
                   

They marched to the church premises in their numbers with placards.

               
           
               
                   

In Abuja, they were met with opposition from some unnamed security agents and another group protesting in support of the pastor and the church.

               
           
               
                   

                                   

Protesters storm COZA church in Lagos, screaming 'no to rape' (Pulse)

               

               
           
               
                   

The protests also has active conversations on social media with #stepdownpastor, #churchtoo and #pastorbiodunfatoyinbo among the top five trending topics on Nigerian twitter.

               
           
               
                   

@martobono tweeted, “An allegation was made against the man. He used his COZA letterhead paper to respond.

               
           
               
                   

“Meaning, the response was on behalf of the incorporated trustees, management and the entire members and you don’t want people to take their protests to the church? You must be MAD! #ChurchToo”

               
           
               
                   

@MsLami_A wrote, “As expected, they barricaded the road leading to the church auditorium with armed forces. But we will sit here and pass our message across. #ChurchToo #MeToo #IStandWithBusolaDakolo.”

               
           
               
                   

ALSO READ: PULSE EXCLUSIVE: Protest organiser says 13 victims are ready to testify against Pastor Fatoyinbo in court

               
           
               
                   

@Oluwatosingbenga said, “#COZA members in Abuja form human barricade preventing protesters from proceeding to the front of their church #stepdownpastor COZA youths blocking our protest.#ChurchToo#PastorStepDown”

               
           
               
                   

                                   

Protesters storm COZA church in Lagos, screaming 'no to rape' (Pulse)

               

               
           
               
                   

Meanwhile, Fatoyinbo’s wife, Modele also denied the allegations against him on Sunday, adding that even before becoming a pastor, he has never raped anyone.

               
           
               
                   

“Not even as an unbeliever will my husband rape someone,” Mrs Fatoyinbo said during the church service broadcast.

               
           
               
                   

                 

Twitter explodes as Busola Dakolo alleges COZA pastor of rape

               

Source: Embattled COZA Pastor Fatoyinbo cancels upcoming programme as protests gain ground

- gist culled from pulseng