Kwara cleric sentenced to life in prison for raping minors

Prophet Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka, the General Overseer of Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry, was found guilty on Wednesday of rape and related offences involving minors.

In a session of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, Justice Hammed Aliyu Gegele handed down a sentence of life imprisonment for multiple counts of rape and unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, and added a 14‑year term for illegal abortion.

The conviction followed a thorough investigation carried out by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, through its Gender Unit after the suspect was arrested in May 2024 on allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of underage victims in Agah Village, Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.

After the investigation was completed, the case was transferred to the Kwara State Ministry of Justice for prosecution, which ultimately secured the conviction in court.

Commandant Abbas Nda Mohammed of the NSCDC praised the courage of the victims, who came forward despite threats, intimidation and emotional trauma.

He also commended the professionalism, diligence and resilience of the Gender Unit officers whose work laid the foundation for the successful prosecution.

The command expressed appreciation for the Kwara State Ministry of Justice’s steadfast commitment to justice and its collaboration throughout the process.

Commandant Abbas reiterated that the NSCDC remains determined to protect children, safeguard vulnerable people and bring perpetrators of sexual and gender‑based violence to justice, regardless of their social, religious or professional status.