Busola Dakolo, wife of Singer, Timi Dakolo, has shared an update
on her sexual abuse case against the Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion
Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo.
A Federal
Capital Territory High Court sitting in Bwari had dismissed the suit Dakolo
filed against Fatoyinbo in 2019 and ordered the former to pay N1m for wasting
the court’s time.
However, in a lengthy post on her Instagram page, Busola said that the police had concluded their investigations and handed over to the Ministry of Justice in Abuja
She wrote “It is now
officially one year after since I came out and told the most important story of
my life up until this point. That when I was a teenager, Biodun Fatoyinbo
violently raped me. It wasn’t just me.
“In the media,
on social platforms and in private, women have been sharing stories of how this
man either destroyed their lives or tried to.
“A lot has
happened in that time: and my heart is glad that consciousness continues to be
raised about the great evil that sexual abuse is, and how widespread it is, and
how much women are at risk, and why we need to ensure justice for those who
find the strength to speak out.
“Awareness is
victory. But we are pushing to another even great victory: Justice.
When the courts last year decided to rule in favour of the man who assaulted me, people were crestfallen. I understood.
When the courts last year decided to rule in favour of the man who assaulted me, people were crestfallen. I understood.
“What they didn’t know however is that before
we even began, we had been prepared for a long haul battle that may take years
because the Nigerian legal system isn’t wired to help sexual abuse victims get
justice.
“Today, I have
a major update. The police has concluded its investigation. And handed over its
report to the Ministry of Justice in Abuja for onward prosecution of Biodun
Fatoyinbo. He clearly has a case to answer.
But there has been silence from the ministry. Silence. A loud silence!
“We have written
a letter but for over a month we have no response. Instead, my lawyers and my
family have heard about all manner of manipulation and foul play being
attempted to stop the ministry from beginning prosecution immediately. Or even
to get the police report manipulated.
“My name is
Busola Dakolo, a survivor of one of the most horrific acts -rape. My voice will
not be shut down. My case will not be silenced. I am thankful to those in and
out of the police, the ministry and the corridors of power who have called in
solidarity and to reassure me that they are monitoring the ministry of justice
and that this pressure to bury the case will not succeed.
“I am updating
the Nigerian public because you all made my story matter. You joined me to say
enough is enough. With you, this has been an easier process.”
No comments:
Post a Comment