Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Abiodun Fatoyinbo has stepped down from playing the role of the church’s pastor and proceeded on what he termed leave of absence.
This is following the groundswell of criticisms and reactions that trailed the allegation of rape brought up against him by Busola Dakolo.
Fatoyinbo
Busola Dakolo had about a week ago granted media interview where she alleged that Pastor Fatoyinbo had carnal knowledge of her when she was 17. She said the alleged crime took place about 19 years ago in Ilorin during the early days of COZA.
The disclosure by Dakolo generated so much heat in the social media culminating in a protest match to his church’s headquarters in Abuja and the branch in Lagos. The protest on the social media has been unprecedented in the recent time as virtually everybody had something to say on the alleged crime.
In 2013, similar allegation was brought against Fatoyinbo by Ese Walter who alleged that the COZA pastor had sexual intercourse with her several times. When she could not keep the act secret, she busted out. but her allegation did not generate the kind of heat caused by the Dakolo revelation.
Then it was said to have been a consensual affair but the accusation of Busola is more of abuse as analysed by social media warriors despite the fact it happened several years ago.
Though Fatoyinbo had earlier threatened to sue Busola for defamation of character, there are indications that he might have changed his mind going by his recent actions.
The week-long programme planned by his church which was expected to start today July 1 had been suspended. He could not attend the Church service yesterday. But by the early hours of today July 1, he posted on his instalgram page that he was stepping down from the pulpit and proceeding on a leave of absence.
Fatoyinbo said he took the painful decision because of the love for the flock of God in his care adding also that consultation with a number of church leaders across the world informed his decision.
While calling for prayers, Abiodun Fatoyinbo who started his ministry in 1999 said he was at a loss on what is happening assuring that his confidence in the Lord is unwavering . Fatoyinbo said, “I trust the Lord to lead and guide me one step at a time”
Letter of leave of absence
