Ogun Police Detain Celestial Church Pastor Over Alleged S£xual Abus£ of 16-Year-Old Stepdaughter
Ogun Police Detain Celestial Church Pastor Over Alleged Sexual Abuse of 16-Year-Old Stepdaughter
The arrest followed a petition by the Lagos State branch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), which accused Idowu of sexually abusing the girl from the age of 14 and threatening to kill her if she reported the alleged abuse.
The Ogun State Police Command has detained a Celestial Church pastor, identified as Omogbolahan Israel Idowu, over allegations that he sexually abused his 16-year-old stepdaughter.
The arrest followed a petition by the Lagos State branch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), which accused Idowu of sexually abusing the girl from the age of 14 and threatening to kill her if she reported the alleged abuse.
According to a petition dated October 26, 2026 and addressed to the Divisional Police Officer of the Shimawa Police Division in Ogun State, the organisation said it was acting on behalf of the teenager, whose identity has been withheld by SaharaReporters.
CDHR alleged that the suspect began sexually molesting the girl after her mother, Bukola Rachel Omogbolahan, married him and moved with her children into his residence in the Ologbo Ark area of Shimawa, Ogun State.
The petition stated that the alleged abuse continued after the girl turned 16.
It further alleged that Idowu threatened to kill the teenager if she disclosed what was happening, leaving her and her elder brother afraid for their safety.
The organisation urged the police to investigate the allegations, ensure the protection of the children, arrest and prosecute the suspect if found culpable, and refer the minors to appropriate child-protection and social-welfare services for support.
CDHR cited provisions of the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Ogun State Child Rights Law in its petition.
Providing an update on the case, the organisation said the Shimawa DPO personally received and acknowledged the petition on Tuesday, October 27.
It said the police subsequently invited the suspect, his wife and a pastor from the Celestial Church, while the suspect and the mother of the victim were detained after their statements were obtained.
The organisation further disclosed that the teenager was taken to Shimawa General Hospital on Wednesday, October 28, for medical examinations, with the results handed over to the investigating police officers.
According to the update, the case files involving Idowu and his wife were transferred to the Ogun State Police Command headquarters in Eleweran on Friday, October 30, before the matter was moved to the D3 Gender Unit in Oke-Ilewo.
CDHR claimed that during proceedings at the gender unit, the suspect admitted to having sexual contact with the teenager.
The organisation said Idowu allegedly told investigators that he had “only fingered her (name withheld) once and only had sex with her once.”
It added that the suspect remained in detention at the gender unit as investigations continued.
The human rights group said it had been informed that it would be notified of the date and time of the suspect’s arraignment after the police concluded their investigation.
The case has raised concerns about the safety of the teenager and her brother, particularly following the petition’s allegation that the suspect threatened the girl against reporting the abuse.
CDHR said it remained willing to provide additional information and produce the victim and witnesses when requested by the police.
Efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain comments from the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Superintendent of Police Kafaya, and the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, regarding the allegations and the status of the investigation were unsuccessful.
As of the time of filing this report, messages sent to the police spokesperson seeking clarification had not received a response.
