Fake cleric, 42, arraigned for rape in Lagos

A 42-year-old man, Wasiu Lawal, who allegedly raped a 38-year-old woman on the pretext of helping her spiritually, was on Wednesday in Lagos brought before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court. The accused, who lives at No.1, Adeleke Agodo St., Ikorodu in Lagos State, is facing a charge of rape. The prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Okoniko told the court that the accused committed the offence at about 9.00p.m. on July 1 in Lagos. He said that the accused, who claimed to be a pastor, native doctor and a Muslim cleric (alfa) forcefully had a sexual intercourse with the woman under the guise of “praying” for her. The complainant said she did not know how she ended up sleeping in the man’s house till the next day. “She said the next day she narrated the story to her husband who reported the matter at Ikorodu police station which led to the arrest of the accused,” she said. “The accused uses one room for pastoral work, the second room to consult as a herbalist and the third one for muslim cleric (Alfa) work, “ he said. The offences contravened Section 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mrs A. Dan Oni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties. She said that one of them must be gainfully employed with an evidence of tax payment. The case was adjourned till Sept. 14 for mention.

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