Embarrassed by the impending show of shame an open court probe of one of its own, Biodun Fatoyinbo, Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), over a rape case, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has made a u-turn on its earlier decision not to involve itself in the matter.

Kristina Reports reliably learnt that Fatoyinbo, who was accused of rape by celebrity photographer, Busola Dakolo, had to reach out to Christian leaders across the country, who he had, hitherto, slighted, to help him wade into the matter.

Our findings indicate that he unaware that Busola had filed a formal complaint with the Police in Lagos before her revealing interview with Chude Jideonwo.

This informed his initial reaction via a statement by his church threatening legal proceedings against Mrs. Dakolo and over 40 other women who have also come out to also accuse him.

Surprisingly, upon seeing the uproar the ill-advised statement caused it was quickly pulled down from the church’s website and social media platforms.

Efforts to pay social media influencers, including Kemi Olunloyo, who was arrested last year and spent considerable time at the Port Harcourt prison for defaming the Senior Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Port Harcourt, David Ibiyeomie, have so far, hit brick walls.

Hence the resort to rally church leaders to seek for an out-of-court settlement with Busola and musician husband, Timi Dakolo.

Acting General Secretary of CAN, Joseph Daramola told The Nation that the body was handling the matter and set up an investigating team with a view to unravelling the veracity of Mrs. Dakolo’s claims and resolving the matter.

Daramola vowed that the investigating team will carry out its work without fear or favour.

“We do not want to limit the investigation because it is very wide. We all know that there is something hidden in this issue. Without sentiment nobody is condoning any criminal act.

“I am a lawyer and before you can prove offense of rape successfully, you have to consider so many things. You have to prove beyond every reasonable doubt before you can establish any rape case.

“One cannot easily have his way into a woman, it is not possible and here we are talking about rape. If you look at the entire story, one has to do proper investigation.

“For example if the court wants to look into it a lot of things will be considered. Church elders will interrogate Fatoyinbo without fear or favour. There is no pastor that people don’t tempt.

“We have gotten to a place where our thinking faculty has to be sharpened. And we have to reason like human beings. The investigation will be concluded soon but it has to be properly conducted.”

Bishop Peter Ogunmuyiwa, the Coordination Chaplain of the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, who is also the Bishop African Church, Diocese of Abuja, said the church must conduct proper investigation into the accusation

“We are on the same page on this matter. The truth is that, the ministry of Jesus Christ is to save and not to destroy. And if our ministry is to save when even there is a member who has done wrong, the first thing that is to come into our mind is how do we face the situation?

“Then after which you now deal with it in accordance to the scripture. And generally the ministry of Christ is to redeem mankind.

“So this case calls for prayers and caution. Even if it is truth and it has not been established as truth, so the entire story is to be investigated. The church has to be very careful because, we are not supposed to be judgmental.

“And if eventually anyone of them is found wanting at the end of the investigation then we will look at the scripture. As it is now we see both the accuser and the accused innocent until anyone of the is found wanting.

“The lady also may be found guilty. As much as we frown at sin, we should not easily condemn people when it is not legally proved. That is the position of CAN and the church.”