Seven years after allegations of rape and sexual assault were made by Busola Dakolo against Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, the case remains without a definitive legal resolution.
In 2019, Busola Dakolo, wife of Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo, publicly accused Pastor Fatoyinbo of raping her twice in the early 2000s when she was a teenager. The allegations sparked nationwide outrage, drawing attention to issues of sexual abuse, power dynamics in religious institutions, and justice for survivors.
Pastor Fatoyinbo denied all allegations.
The matter was taken to court later that year. However, in November 2019, a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja dismissed the case, ruling that it was statute-barred—meaning it was filed outside the legally permitted time frame. The court also awarded damages against Dakolo.
Despite the dismissal, the judgment did not address the substance of the allegations, leaving questions of guilt or innocence unresolved.
A police investigation was also initiated, but no widely reported criminal prosecution or conviction followed.
As of 2026, there has been no known final appellate ruling or reopening of the case.
The controversy continues to be referenced in conversations around justice reform, particularly the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault in pursuing legal redress years after alleged incidents.
Observers say the case highlights the need for stronger legal frameworks and societal support systems to ensure that such sensitive matters are handled with both fairness and urgency.
