pastor daniel |
If there is one thing that Mrs. B.
regrets most in her life, it is the day she walked into the Royal
Heritage Church, Mafoluku, Lagos, for the first time.
regrets most in her life, it is the day she walked into the Royal
Heritage Church, Mafoluku, Lagos, for the first time.
Shortly after that day, with her teenage
daughter in tow, she approached the pastor of the church, Tunde Daniel,
a man in his 50s with two wives, and sought his spiritual help on the
girl’s plan to become a model.
daughter in tow, she approached the pastor of the church, Tunde Daniel,
a man in his 50s with two wives, and sought his spiritual help on the
girl’s plan to become a model.
Mrs. B. told Saturday PUNCH that the pastor had told her he could make a super model out of the girl.
Because of the sensitivity of this case, Saturday PUNCH decided to keep the family anonymous.
But Mrs. B. said the moment she
approached the pastor for help was the day she lost control of her
daughter, who is now 16 years old. For more than a year, Mrs. B said she
was struggling to get a grip of her life and win her daughter back from
the hold Pastor Daniel allegedly had on her.
approached the pastor for help was the day she lost control of her
daughter, who is now 16 years old. For more than a year, Mrs. B said she
was struggling to get a grip of her life and win her daughter back from
the hold Pastor Daniel allegedly had on her.
From that moment on began a relationship that allegedly snowballed into a sexual slavery for Mrs. B’s daughter.
According to her, it got to a point that
if she gave her daughter an instruction, her obedience would depend on
whether the pastor agreed or not.
if she gave her daughter an instruction, her obedience would depend on
whether the pastor agreed or not.
The girl would occasionally visit the married pastor at his 8, Owolabi Street, Mafoluku, Lagos.
Mrs. B said, “My daughter suddenly
became distant and she no longer listened to me. Then, one day, she ran
away from home. I was at my shop when she ran away and her siblings were
with me in the shop.
became distant and she no longer listened to me. Then, one day, she ran
away from home. I was at my shop when she ran away and her siblings were
with me in the shop.
“I got home and was expecting to see
her. I became worried after a few hours, but I still did not see her.
Neighbours also could not tell me where she was.
her. I became worried after a few hours, but I still did not see her.
Neighbours also could not tell me where she was.
“It was while searching everywhere for her that I noticed the money I kept in the house had gone.
“I tried to call Pastor Daniel but could
not reach him on the phone and I went to his house. When I got there, I
was told he was not around and for four days, my daughter was missing.
not reach him on the phone and I went to his house. When I got there, I
was told he was not around and for four days, my daughter was missing.
“Few days later, Pastor Daniel brought
her back home in the evening. When I asked where she had been, she
ignored me and when I asked the pastor, he shouted at me.”
her back home in the evening. When I asked where she had been, she
ignored me and when I asked the pastor, he shouted at me.”
Mrs. B. warned her daughter to stay away from the pastor but all she got in response was the rebuff.
According to her, Tunde continued to meet with the girl in secret.
Mrs. B. explained that unknown to her,
the sexual abuse her daughter allegedly suffered in the hands of the
pastor started in 2016 when the girl was still 15.
the sexual abuse her daughter allegedly suffered in the hands of the
pastor started in 2016 when the girl was still 15.
“She said that anytime she went to school, Pastor Daniel would pick her up there and take her to a hotel.
“One day in late February, 2017, I got a
call from a hospital that said my daughter was in a critical condition.
I did not know how she ended up in the hospital. At that time, I had
lost control over her totally.
call from a hospital that said my daughter was in a critical condition.
I did not know how she ended up in the hospital. At that time, I had
lost control over her totally.
“When I got there, I was told that she
had appendicitis and that an emergency surgery must be conducted to save
her life. We were asked to look for N368,000. I called her father who
was abroad, to inform him of the case and we quickly paid the money.
had appendicitis and that an emergency surgery must be conducted to save
her life. We were asked to look for N368,000. I called her father who
was abroad, to inform him of the case and we quickly paid the money.
“It was when I saw the surgical scar
that I became alarmed and I started petting her and told her to tell me
what was going on. That was when she said that the pastor had
impregnated her and that what I thought was the removal of her
appendicitis was indeed abortion.
that I became alarmed and I started petting her and told her to tell me
what was going on. That was when she said that the pastor had
impregnated her and that what I thought was the removal of her
appendicitis was indeed abortion.
“I wanted to faint. I quickly confronted
the doctors at the hospital and they told me that she was brought in by
Pastor Daniel, who prevailed on them to say it was appendicitis. They
said she had lost a fallopian tube. They said they were only concerned
about saving her life.”
the doctors at the hospital and they told me that she was brought in by
Pastor Daniel, who prevailed on them to say it was appendicitis. They
said she had lost a fallopian tube. They said they were only concerned
about saving her life.”
The hospital in question is High Rocks Hospital located on 8, Afariogun Street, Charity Area, Oshodi-Isolo.
However, the apprehensive Mrs. B., who
could no longer handle the matter on her own, contacted the Child
Protection Network in Oshodi, who took over the case.
could no longer handle the matter on her own, contacted the Child
Protection Network in Oshodi, who took over the case.
The Coordinator of CPN in Isolo and
Ejigbo, Mr. Ebenezer Omejalile, explained that further investigation on
the case showed that Daniel’s ministry was reputed as one dedicated to
preying on both innocent girls and married women.
Ejigbo, Mr. Ebenezer Omejalile, explained that further investigation on
the case showed that Daniel’s ministry was reputed as one dedicated to
preying on both innocent girls and married women.
According to him, after the CPN took
over the case and it was reported at the Makinde Police Division,
Oshodi, Daniel tried to turn the case against the victim’s family and
reported at the anti-kidnapping unit of the Lagos State Police Command
that Mrs. B. colluded with some officers at the Makinde Police Division
to kidnap him and force him to part with money.
over the case and it was reported at the Makinde Police Division,
Oshodi, Daniel tried to turn the case against the victim’s family and
reported at the anti-kidnapping unit of the Lagos State Police Command
that Mrs. B. colluded with some officers at the Makinde Police Division
to kidnap him and force him to part with money.
“The pastor threatened the investigating
police officer in charge of the case. He was so confident that nothing
was going to happen on the matter. I realised that it was necessary for
the Commissioner of Police to hear about the matter, so I wrote a
petition to the CP on the matter.
police officer in charge of the case. He was so confident that nothing
was going to happen on the matter. I realised that it was necessary for
the Commissioner of Police to hear about the matter, so I wrote a
petition to the CP on the matter.
“The woman called him ‘father in the
Lord’ and trusted him with her daughter. Most shocking was the part that
the girl had lost a fallopian tube. When we interrogated the girl
further, we realised that the pastor had given her some drugs to abort
the pregnancy, which led to the complications.”
Lord’ and trusted him with her daughter. Most shocking was the part that
the girl had lost a fallopian tube. When we interrogated the girl
further, we realised that the pastor had given her some drugs to abort
the pregnancy, which led to the complications.”
Omejalile said his petition to the Lagos
CP was to explain why the case was not a kidnap case as claimed by
Daniel, but one that bordered on gross sexual abuse and child
endangerment.
CP was to explain why the case was not a kidnap case as claimed by
Daniel, but one that bordered on gross sexual abuse and child
endangerment.
Meanwhile, to prevent further contact
between the girl and Daniel, the girl’s family took her away to the
South-East to stay with her grandmother.
between the girl and Daniel, the girl’s family took her away to the
South-East to stay with her grandmother.
During her stay in their hometown, Saturday PUNCH learnt that the family concluded that the pastor might have put the girl under a spell.
“She kept repeating that she wanted to
have sexual intercourse with Pastor Daniel. We did our best to break her
from the curse,” a family member said on condition of anonymity.
have sexual intercourse with Pastor Daniel. We did our best to break her
from the curse,” a family member said on condition of anonymity.
They did not divulge further steps taken to break her free from the purported spell.
However, after months on the case,
Omejalile’s petition to the Lagos CP finally yielded results on Tuesday,
November 7. Daniel, who had been walking the streets as a free man
since the case was reported at the Makinde Police Division, was invited
at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters. He
was subsequently detained as investigation and interrogation went on.
Omejalile’s petition to the Lagos CP finally yielded results on Tuesday,
November 7. Daniel, who had been walking the streets as a free man
since the case was reported at the Makinde Police Division, was invited
at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters. He
was subsequently detained as investigation and interrogation went on.
At the police headquarters, the girl, who was brought back from the East to give a statement, made more startling revelations.
Omejalile, who was present at the time
said, “The girl said that anytime they had sex, he always recorded it.
This is why we are worried at this point because we do not want such
videos finding their way to the public. The girl said that he had a box
in his room where he kept videos from different sexual encounters. The
police said they would go and search his room soon.”
said, “The girl said that anytime they had sex, he always recorded it.
This is why we are worried at this point because we do not want such
videos finding their way to the public. The girl said that he had a box
in his room where he kept videos from different sexual encounters. The
police said they would go and search his room soon.”
He explained that when they went to
invite the pastor in company with policemen from the command
headquarters, the girl was the one used as a bait.
invite the pastor in company with policemen from the command
headquarters, the girl was the one used as a bait.
Omejilale said, “We told her to put the
phone on speaker and when the girl called him, he said he would like to
see her and that he missed her. The girl said she could not come to his
house but could meet him at work.
phone on speaker and when the girl called him, he said he would like to
see her and that he missed her. The girl said she could not come to his
house but could meet him at work.
“The pastor works as a software engineer
in a company at Oshodi. As soon as the girl got to his office, the
pastor’s colleagues started greeting her as ‘Pastor Daniel’s daughter’.
It was clear they were familiar with her. He was then informed that he
was wanted at the police headquarters. He thought he could escape by
placing a call to the policemen at the anti-kidnapping unit, whom he had
reported to earlier. But he was told that he was being invited at the
police headquarters by higher authority.”
in a company at Oshodi. As soon as the girl got to his office, the
pastor’s colleagues started greeting her as ‘Pastor Daniel’s daughter’.
It was clear they were familiar with her. He was then informed that he
was wanted at the police headquarters. He thought he could escape by
placing a call to the policemen at the anti-kidnapping unit, whom he had
reported to earlier. But he was told that he was being invited at the
police headquarters by higher authority.”
Saturday PUNCH learnt that
while being questioned at the police headquarters, the girl revealed
that Daniel took her on a flight to Abuja at a point.
while being questioned at the police headquarters, the girl revealed
that Daniel took her on a flight to Abuja at a point.
Mrs. B was asked why she was not aware
of all these and how her daughter could embark on such long journeys
without her knowledge, but the distraught mother said it was part of the
reasons why she said she lost control of her daughter.
of all these and how her daughter could embark on such long journeys
without her knowledge, but the distraught mother said it was part of the
reasons why she said she lost control of her daughter.
The pastor is still being detained by the police.
Meanwhile, the CPN has said once the
prosecution of Daniel was underway, it would begin efforts in ensuring
that the doctor at High Rocks Hospital, who carried out the abortion was
investigated.
prosecution of Daniel was underway, it would begin efforts in ensuring
that the doctor at High Rocks Hospital, who carried out the abortion was
investigated.
When Saturday PUNCH spoke with
the head of the hospital, Dr. Femi Oloyede, an associate professor, he
explained that the pastor brought the girl to his facility, claiming to
be her guardian.
the head of the hospital, Dr. Femi Oloyede, an associate professor, he
explained that the pastor brought the girl to his facility, claiming to
be her guardian.
He said, “The man (Daniel) brought in
the girl with ectopic pregnancy (development of foetus in fallopian
tube) and we saved her. He said the girl was impregnated by her
boyfriend. Our records are there to show what she was treated for. Who
impregnated her was not the hospital’s concern. I was summoned when she
was brought in and noticed she was in a very bad shape. She had to be
resuscitated. I then said there was nothing we could do if her parents
were not present even if he was the guardian as he claimed.
the girl with ectopic pregnancy (development of foetus in fallopian
tube) and we saved her. He said the girl was impregnated by her
boyfriend. Our records are there to show what she was treated for. Who
impregnated her was not the hospital’s concern. I was summoned when she
was brought in and noticed she was in a very bad shape. She had to be
resuscitated. I then said there was nothing we could do if her parents
were not present even if he was the guardian as he claimed.
“The pastor then contacted the mother
and she came in. We told her what was wrong with her daughter
immediately. When we told them to make a deposit so we conduct an urgent
surgery, they declined saying they were taking her to their regular
hospital.
and she came in. We told her what was wrong with her daughter
immediately. When we told them to make a deposit so we conduct an urgent
surgery, they declined saying they were taking her to their regular
hospital.
“I wrote them a referral and they left.
They later came back in the evening when the girl’s situation had
worsened. They had to beg me to come from home to attend to her. We did
the operation and she took about three pints of blood within a space of
three hours. She was bleeding inside. She was even on admission for
some days after the surgery. If anything was ever in doubt, a
responsible parent would have asked.”
They later came back in the evening when the girl’s situation had
worsened. They had to beg me to come from home to attend to her. We did
the operation and she took about three pints of blood within a space of
three hours. She was bleeding inside. She was even on admission for
some days after the surgery. If anything was ever in doubt, a
responsible parent would have asked.”
Oloyede said the age of the pregnancy
could not be immediately determined but said he believed it must have
been about six weeks old.
could not be immediately determined but said he believed it must have
been about six weeks old.
He also said there was no evidence that
there had been an attempt to abort the pregnancy but that the victim’s
fallopian tube ruptured as a result of the ectopic pregnancy.
there had been an attempt to abort the pregnancy but that the victim’s
fallopian tube ruptured as a result of the ectopic pregnancy.
The doctor explained that he would be happy to assist the police in their investigation.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State
Police Command, Mr. Olarinde Famous-Cole, who confirmed that Daniel was
still in custody and being quizzed, said the doctor would be invited.
Police Command, Mr. Olarinde Famous-Cole, who confirmed that Daniel was
still in custody and being quizzed, said the doctor would be invited.
He said, “The investigation will definitely involve the hospital. The pastor has made some confessional statements.
“Investigation is ongoing to determine
where and when each of the alleged acts took place.Investigators would
be conducting a search on the house of the pastor also.”
where and when each of the alleged acts took place.Investigators would
be conducting a search on the house of the pastor also.”