A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has handed down a life sentence to a church leader for sexually abusing minors. Prophet Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka, General Overseer of Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry, was convicted on Wednesday of raping three underage congregation members.
The crimes occurred inside the church's mission house in Ganmo's Agah area, where Olayinka served as spiritual leader. He abused his position of trust to prey on vulnerable children in his care.
Justice Hammed Aliyu Gegele, the trial judge, described how one victim was taken to a generator house and assaulted. The cleric used anointing oil as lubricant during the rape, the court heard.
He also woke her after prayer vigils to subject her to further abuse.
Olayinka received an additional 14-year sentence for illegally terminating pregnancies of his victims. He had threatened the girls with death if they revealed his crimes.
In court, Justice Gegele stated that the defendant had transformed his victims into "sex machines." His conduct involved both physical and mental cruelty toward the children.
Twelve prosecution witnesses testified during the trial, presenting damning evidence. The victims told the court how Olayinka performed ritualistic acts with oil on their bodies before raping them.
According to their testimonies, he forced the girls to swear oaths on a Bible. They were told they would die if they ever spoke about what happened to them.
Olayinka faced eight charges in total, including criminal conspiracy and unlawful firearm possession. Prosecutors relied on the Penal Code, the Robbery and Firearms Act of 2004, and Kwara's Child Rights Law.
Chief State Counsel Issa Zakari led the prosecution team throughout the proceedings. On 11 February 2026, he vigorously challenged the defendant and his witnesses during cross-examination.
Both sides filed written submissions after the defence concluded its case. The court then adjourned to consider the evidence before delivering judgment on Wednesday.
Justice Gegele found the prosecution had proved the charges of rape, unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, and illegal abortion beyond reasonable doubt. However, the bigamy charge didn't stick, and the defendant was acquitted on that count.
The judge branded Olayinka a "pedophile and philanderer" whose actions deserve society's condemnation. Such behaviour undermines trust in religious institutions and endangers children.
A pump-action shotgun found in Olayinka's possession has been ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. This concludes one of Kwara's most disturbing cases of abuse of religious authority.
