The Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates (COPA) has
said no fewer than 24 public interests lawyers and advocates have
volunteered to take up the case of Busola Dakolo against Pastor Biodun
Fatoyinbo at no cost.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, leader of COPA, disclosed this in a statement on
Sunday, describing the rape allegation as ”grievous and must therefore
not be swept under the carpet.”
Olajengbesi said that the decision of the lawyers to take up the
matter was due to the fact that similar allegations had been levelled
against the pastor in the past.
“We are mindful that such an allegation had, in the past, been
levelled against the same individual by a plethora of women, claiming to
have had the misfortune of coming in contact with him. Any reasonable
individual must deduce that there is in fact a dire concern to be put to
rest here by laying the whole truth bare through proactive action.“The failure of Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, now and in the past, to
address these allegations and clear the air on his innocence is not just
an arrogant disregard of public sensitivity but a dare to the general
public, perhaps, to ‘do its worse’.The issue of rape and sexual abuse is a contextual one with a great
significance in our laws and culture. “It is not just a ruthless crime
but a moral impropriety that must be addressed post-haste for the
culprit to face justice so the victim might find succour and respite in
the sanction of the law.”