An Ondo-based pastor and school principal, Adetunji Obatayo, has been remanded in prison custody for sexually assaulting his 14-year-old foster daughter and procuring abortion for her three times.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Obatayo is also the principal of the school where the victim attends.
The 55-year-old defendant was arrested by the state police command after the victim bravely informed her parents about the sexual relationship with the pastor.
The charges against Obatayo include defilement and unlawfully prescribing drugs to procure abortion, resulting in the termination of an unborn child.
During the court proceedings, the victim revealed that Obatayo had been sexually abusing her since she began living with him at the age of 10.
She recounted, “On my first day in his house, he forcefully had sexual intercourse with me and told me not to tell anyone about it. He had impregnated me thrice and he gave me money for contraceptive drugs to abort the pregnancies. But during the third pregnancy, he refused to provide the funds, and I resorted to stealing his money to buy the pills.”
In response to the horrifying revelations, the magistrate, B.A. Alphonso, ordered the defendant to be remanded in the Olokuta Correctional Centre.
The case file has been sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for further advice, while the victim has been directed to receive rehabilitation. The next court hearing is scheduled for August 29, 2024.
