Randy RCCG pastor re-arraigned for touching minor’s breasts

Court

A pastor who is also a legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, was on Wednesday re-arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja for the alleged indecent treatment of a 14-year-old girl.

The Lagos State Government re-arraigned Akanni on a one-count charge bordering on the indecent treatment of a child.

The charge alleged that the defendant, who also serves as a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, indecently assaulted the minor at the Iwaya area of Lagos by fondling her breasts.

The prosecution counsel, Funmilola Aluko, told the court that the defendant had unlawfully fondled the breasts of the minor.

According to her, the offence committed contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, defence counsel, Morenikeji Oyekunle, prayed the court to allow her client to continue on the bail earlier granted by a Magistrate’s Court, arguing that he had complied with all conditions and was not a flight risk, being a lawyer and clergyman.

But Aluko opposed the bail request, urging the court to review the terms of release.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi upheld the bail conditions previously granted by the Magistrate’s Court and directed the defence counsel to ensure the defendant’s presence at every adjourned date.

After the ruling, the prosecution informed the court that the complainant, now 27 years old, was present and ready to testify.

Led in evidence by the prosecution, the witness told the court that she met the defendant through her father, who was a member of the defendant’s church, the RCCG, on Lagos Island.