(NIGERIA)
The Nigerian Voice [Abuja, Nigeria]
October 31, 2026
By Damilare Adeleye
The Ogun State Police Command has detained a Celestial Church pastor, 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 alleged that the suspect sexually abused the teenager from the age of 14 and threatened to kill her if she reported the incident.
In 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.
CDHR alleged that the abuse began after the girl’s mother, Bukola Rachel Omogbolahan, married Idowu and moved with her children into his residence in the Ologbo Ark area of Shimawa.
The organisation said the alleged abuse continued after the teenager turned 16, adding that the suspect threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incidents.
It further alleged that the threats left the teenager and her elder brother afraid for their safety.
In the petition, CDHR urged the police to investigate the allegations, protect the children, and arrest and prosecute the suspect if found culpable. It also requested that the minors be referred to appropriate child-protection and social-welfare services.
The organisation cited provisions of the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Ogun State Child Rights Law in support of its petition.
Providing an update on the case, CDHR said the Shimawa DPO personally received and acknowledged the petition on Tuesday, October 27.
It disclosed that the police subsequently invited the suspect, his wife and a pastor from the Celestial Church for questioning. The suspect and the teenager’s mother were later detained after their statements were obtained.
According to the organisation, the teenager was taken to Shimawa General Hospital on Wednesday, October 28, for medical examinations, while the results were handed over to the investigating police officers.
CDHR further said 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 investigation was moved to the D3 Gender Unit in Oke-Ilewo.
The human rights group claimed that Idowu admitted to having sexual contact with the teenager during questioning at the gender unit.
According to CDHR, the suspect allegedly told investigators that he had “only fingered her (name withheld) once and only had sex with her once.”
The organisation added that the suspect remained in detention as investigations continued.
It said the police had promised to notify the group of the date and time of the suspect’s arraignment after concluding their investigation.
CDHR also expressed concern about the safety of the teenager and her elder brother, given the alleged threats against the girl.
The organisation said it remained willing to provide additional information and produce the victim and witnesses whenever requested by the police.