To avoid the imminent shut down of his church in Lagos and Abuja by angry protesters, popular Abuja pastor and General Overseer of COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo has stepped down from his position as the chief shepherd of the new generation church.
Very angry protesters, led by celebrity human rights activists have thronged the church branches in Lagos and the nation’s capital since yesterday in solidarity with Busola Dakolo, wife of Rhythm and Blue star, Timi Dakolo, who accused the married pastor of rape.
The magazine learned that top Nigerian celebrities from Nollywood and others in the entertainment industry are gearing up for a mother of all protest against the COZA pastor.
Top actors who have already thrown their weight behind the Dakolos are singing sensation Davido, Stella Damascus among others.
Some human rights lawyers have also took up the matter seriously vowing to sue the elegant pastor.
On Sunday when the first batch of protesters stormed the church in Abuja, they were prevented by the church security from accessing the imposing church premises.
Policemen and hooded Department of State Service, DSS operatives were also dispatched to the Abuja church “to forestall the breakdown of law and order,” an official of the Ministry of Interior told the magazine on Monday
The magazine learned that Pastor Fatoyinbo has sought the intervention of some highly placed Nigerians on the issue, including respected clergymen across the country.
But in a statement released by the church, the celebrity pastor said he was embarking on casual leave to allow the dust raised by the incident to settle.
Pastor Fatoyinbo said “The past few days have been very sobering on me I have taken time to seek spiritual counsel form Christian leaders around the world who feel very concerned about the ongoing report in the media.
“I have solicited their guidance on actions I should take that is honoring to our Lord Jesus Christ and the work he has called me to do.”
He stepped down on the advice of some well-meaning men of God.
According to him “Drawing from their counsel and that of the leadership of COZA and owing to my love for Lord’s work and the sacred honor of my calling I have decided to take a leave of absence from the pulpit of the church.”
Mrs Dakolo had last Friday, accused the COZA pastor of rape.
Busola, a star photographer also accused the fancy man of God of deflowering her while she was just 16 years old.
The incident, she claimed took place in Ilorin, Kwara state where COZA took off many years ago.
Pastor Fatoyinbo who was forced to cancel the church annual programme over the controversy, has, however denied the allegation as plot by some people to smear his name.
Some officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN who spoke with the magazine on Monday said they were currently wading into the matter.
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