Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, founder of KINGSWAY International Christian Centre, KICC, may be called as witness in a suit filed against Biodun Fatoyinbo, senior pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, Abuja.
Busola Dakolo, a celebrity photographer, had sued Fatoyinbo at an Abuja High Court to seek redress over the emotional distresses she was subjected to over the years following her rape by the COZA leader when she was a teenager.
Among the witnesses listed to support her case is Ashimolowo, who could be subpoenaed by the court to testify if he refused to appear.
In the civil suit filed on her behalf by Pelumi Olajengbesi, Dakolo said Fatoyinbo inflicted intentional emotional distress on her, adding that the alleged rape affected her marital sex life. These, according to her, were compounded by Fatoyinbo’s denial contained in a statement released on June 28, after she gave horrid details of the incident in an interview with Chude Jideonwo.
In her statement of claims, Dakolo averred that the alleged rape negatively affected her sex life, adding that Fatoyinbo’s denial of the alleged rape contained jointly and/or severally through a press statement he released on June 28, had caused her continuous emotional distress and amounted to intentional infliction of emotional distress on her.
“The claimant avers that she was immediately terrified and in shock while the defendant pinned her down on the couch following which he caressed her body, fondled her breasts, pulled her pant, quickly half-pulled his trousers and ordered her to allow him have his way with her,” she deposed.
Dakolo alleged that Fatoyinbo (defendant) used his hand to cover her mouth, thereby muffling her screams as he tried to forcefully violate her, claiming that the defendant eventually overpowered her.
“The claimant avers that while she was in shock of the incident which had rendered her befuddled and mortified, the defendant rushed out of the living room area of her family home and briefly returned with a bottle of soda (Krest) which he forced down her throat thereby making her breathing difficult,” the court papers said.
Dakolo, among other prayers, is asking for:
• An order of court compelling Fatoyinbo to tender a clearly worded public apology on the front pages of two national newspapers and two national television stations for seven days.
• An order mandating Fatoyinbo to address a personal letter of apology to her showing honest remorse for his misdeeds.
• N10 million damages against the pastor to cover legal charges and other expenses incurred during the trial.