A Lagos State High Court, presided over by Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, has discharged Pastor Emmanuel Orekoya, a clergyman with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), who was accused of defiling his 17-year-old daughter.
The court reached its decision following persistent failure by the prosecution to present any witnesses or provide substantial evidence in support of the charges. Justice Soladoye ruled that the matter lacked diligent prosecution and had suffered from unwarranted delays that rendered the process ineffective.
According to the court, the Lagos State Government had filed a two-count charge against Pastor Orekoya, alleging defilement and sexual assault by penetration.
The offences were said to have occurred in 2017 at their residence on Jacob Adeleye Street, Odoeran, in the Itire-Surulere area of Lagos, and were allegedly committed against his own daughter.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the court noted that since the arraignment of the defendant on February 26, 2024, the prosecution had failed to call even a single witness to testify in court, despite being granted 10 adjournments over several months.
“This case is hereby struck out for want of diligent prosecution,” Justice Soladoye stated while delivering the ruling. “From the date of arraignment until now, there have been a total of 10 adjournments, yet no witness has appeared before the court. It is right that justice delayed is justice denied.”
The judge went on to criticize the prosecution’s handling of the matter, describing it as a “colossal waste of judicial time.” She emphasized that the absence of witnesses effectively stalled the legal process and left the court with no choice but to dismiss the charges for now.
However, the ruling does not bar the possibility of reopening the case. Justice Soladoye clarified that the prosecution retains the right to rearrest the defendant and refile the case, provided it is ready to proceed with adequate witness testimony and evidence.
“The prosecution is at liberty to re-arrest the defendant and bring him to justice whenever they have assembled their witnesses to prosecute this case,” the judge stated, reaffirming the court’s openness to a properly conducted trial if and when the state is prepared.
Pastor Emmanuel Orekoya had pleaded not guilty to all charges at the time of his arraignment. The accusations against him, brought under Sections 137 and 162 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015, involve allegations that he sexually assaulted his daughter by penetrating her mouth with his genitals.
The development has sparked conversation in legal and civil society circles about the need for prosecutors to prioritize preparedness and diligence, especially in cases involving vulnerable victims and sensitive allegations.