A Kwara State High Court has convicted and sentenced Pastor Ajiboye Olayinka to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting three minors. The court found him guilty of rape and illegal abortion, crimes he committed against the children under his pastoral care.
The verdict marks one of the harshest sentences handed down in Kwara for sexual offences against children. Olayinka's conviction came after the prosecution presented evidence showing he abused the minors over a period, exploiting his position of trust and authority in the community.
The case exposes how predators often hide behind religious vestments to gain access to vulnerable children. Parents and community leaders in Kwara have increasingly raised alarm about child safety in religious institutions, though enforcement remains inconsistent across the state.
The illegal abortion charges suggest Olayinka's crimes extended beyond assault. He allegedly forced at least one of his victims to terminate her pregnancy, deepening the trauma inflicted on the child.
Olayinka's sentencing sends a signal that Nigerian courts are willing to impose severe penalties for crimes against minors when evidence is strong and cases reach trial. The life sentence means he will spend his remaining years in prison unless he successfully appeals the conviction.
