Pastor and lawyer Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni faces re-arraignment in Lagos over alleged indecent treatment of a 14-year-old girl
Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, a Lagos-based pastor and legal practitioner, has been re-arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over the alleged indecent treatment of a 14-year-old girl.
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The Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni case, brought by the Lagos State Government, involves a one-count charge alleging indecent assault under Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
According to the prosecution led by Funmilola Aluko, the defendant, who also serves as a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), allegedly fondled the breasts of the minor at Iwaya, Lagos.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, defence counsel Morenikeji Oyekunle urged the court to allow Akanni to continue under the bail terms earlier granted by a Magistrate’s Court.
She argued that her client, being both a lawyer and a clergyman, had complied with all conditions and posed no flight risk.
Prosecutor Aluko opposed the request, calling for a review of the bail conditions.
In a brief ruling, Justice Oshodi upheld the existing bail terms, directing the defence to ensure the defendant’s presence at all subsequent proceedings.
After the ruling, the prosecution presented its first witness — the complainant, now 27 years old — who recounted how she met the defendant through her father, a member of the RCCG parish on Lagos Island.
She testified that in 2010, when she was eight, she began living with the defendant’s family to improve her academic performance and participate in the church choir.
During her stay, she alleged, the defendant began to molest her sexually and physically, often punishing her severely for poor academic performance.
According to the witness, she eventually fled the defendant’s home and reported the incidents to her parents. She said she decided to lodge a formal complaint in 2023 after hearing of another similar case involving a minor in the same church.
Under cross-examination, the witness stated that she first confided in her class teacher, identified as Mrs Akingbeoyewa, about the alleged abuse while still living with the defendant.
After her testimony, the defence sought an adjournment to obtain the Certified True Copy of the witness’s evidence. The prosecution objected, warning that further delay might cause emotional distress to the witness.
Justice Oshodi granted the adjournment but imposed a cost of ₦50,000 against the defence, to be paid to the witness before the next hearing. He adjourned the trial to 9 December 2025 for continuation.
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The Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni trial has drawn significant attention due to the defendant’s dual status as a lawyer and pastor, reigniting public debate on safeguarding minors within religious institutions.
