Protesters have stormed the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) in Abuja over the rape allegation against the Founder of the church, Biodun Fatoyinbo.
Bearing placards with inscriptions such as ‘Thou shall not rape’, and ‘Your pastor is not your God’, the protesters are calling on the pastor to step down, and be investigated, among other things.
The protesters had converged on an NNPC filling station close to the church in Guzape before proceeding to the church, which is holding its first Sunday service since Busola Dakolo, photographer and wife of musician Timi Dakolo accused the pastor of raping her 20 years ago when she was 18.
The pastor has denied the allegation, but many including celebrities and leaders of civil society groups are demanding an investigation and have expressed support for Busola.
Many others have also defended the pastor.
The latest scandal to involve the pastor has dominated social media discuss for days with the push for a protest gaining traction through Friday and Saturday.
In 2013, a member of the church, Ese Walters, had alleged that she and the pastor had an affair.
Ahead of the protest, security was tightened at the church with masked police officers, soldiers and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stationed around it.
