A group of Nigerian women under the Concerned Mothers Advocacy Group has staged a protest at the headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Abuja.
The protest, which took place on Friday, highlighted growing allegations of sexual abuse, intimidation, and exploitation against Dr. Daniel Olukoya, the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM).
The women, some visibly emotional and carrying placards, submitted a petition to the Director-General of NAPTIP, calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations. The petition, signed by Dipo Olujobi, includes serious claims ranging from sexual assault and blackmail to legal intimidation and systemic cover-ups allegedly orchestrated by the church’s leadership.
The petition accused Dr. Olukoya of exploiting vulnerable individuals under the guise of faith. It stressed that NAPTIP must act urgently to ensure justice for the victims and prevent further abuse.
Some of the specific allegations include:
Legal Intimidation: Former MFM minister Funke Ashekun, a 20-year member, alleged that Dr. Olukoya uses proxy lawsuits to silence critics, draining them financially. Ashekun claims that pastors transferred from Nigeria file lawsuits on Olukoya’s behalf to avoid direct involvement. She reportedly faced four lawsuits in the U.S., resulting in a $50,000 fine, while another victim, Badejo, was allegedly bankrupted in the U.K.
Sexual Abuse and Blackmail: Multiple women have accused Dr. Olukoya of sexual assault, allegedly recorded using disguised devices such as pens and buttons. Akpeji Daniel, a former associate, reportedly admitted on record to procuring women for Olukoya and confirmed the sharing of illicit videos.
Systemic Cover-Ups: Victims reportedly fear retaliation, with reports of violent attacks, including a pastor who was shot in the leg and a church member who narrowly escaped execution in 2008.
The petition points out that these allegations contravene several Nigerian laws, including:
Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015: Prohibits sexual violence, coercion, and intimidation.
Criminal Code Act (Sections 357–364): Criminalizes sexual assault, blackmail, and unauthorized recordings.
Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015 (Section 24): Prohibits unauthorized interception or recording of private communications.
Nigerian Constitution (1999) Section 34: Guarantees human dignity and freedom from inhuman or degrading treatment.
Child Rights Act (2003): Included as a precaution should minors be involved.
The Concerned Mothers Advocacy Group urged NAPTIP to take the following actions:
-Launch an Independent Investigation: Thoroughly probe allegations of sexual abuse, intimidation, and exploitation within MFM.
Collaborate with Relevant Agencies: Work with the Nigerian Police, National Human Rights Commission, and INTERPOL to investigate cross-border aspects of the case.
Protect Victims and Whistleblowers: Secure witness testimonies using provisions from the VAPP Act.
Review MFM’s Legal Practices: Investigate the use of proxy lawsuits as a potential abuse of judicial processes.
Engage Religious Bodies: Seek clarification from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) regarding Olukoya’s membership and hold religious leaders accountable.
The petition emphasizes that these allegations threaten the sanctity of religious institutions and the safety of vulnerable Nigerians. The group urged NAPTIP to act swiftly to address the exploitation and uphold justice in accordance with its mandate under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
NAPTIP officials acknowledged receipt of the petition and assured the protesters that the agency would review the allegations under its legal mandate.
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