The trial of a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor, Emmanuel Orekoya, charged with defiling his 17-year-old daughter has suffered setbacks due to the absence of prosecution witnesses.
Orekoya was on February 27 arraigned before Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja on two counts of defilement and sexual assault by penetration.
The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
When the case was called, the State Counsel, Mr Olusola Soneye informed the court that the prosecution had listed three witnesses to testify against the defendant.
Mr Soneye, however, apologized to the court and the defence counsel for the absence of the witnesses.
According to him, he had reached out to the witnesses a day prior and they promised to make themselves present.
He, thereafter, prayed the court for a short adjourned date to commence trial.
The defence counsel did not oppose the submission of the prosecution.
The judge adjourned the case until June 5 for commencement of trial.
The prosecution had alleged Orekoya committed the offences sometime in 2017 on Jacob Adeleye Street, Odoeran in Itire, Lagos.
The prosecution told the court that the defendant allegedly defiled her daughter by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
The state also submitted that the defendant sexually assaulted her daughter by inserting fingers into her vagina and also inserting the penis into her mouth.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 127 and 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
