Founder of I Reign Christian Ministry Oluwafeyiropo Daniel on Friday closed his defence in his trial for alleged rape.
The defendant is arraigned before an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for allegedly raping two women – an assistant pastor and another member of his church.
He allegedly had sexual intercourse with the two women against their wishes at his Lagos residence.
He, however, denied the allegations.
Daniel, who opened defence on Tuesday, told the court that the alleged victims conspired against him.
During cross-examination by state counsel Babajide Boye on Friday, the defendant reiterated that the women conspired against him.
He also denied giving N100,000 to one of them for medical treatment.
Mr Boye asked him if his position as a pastor and someone whom people approached for counselling made him manipulate people.
The defendant said: “I am not a manipulator. Three ladies turned against me, but one of them later apologised to me.
“I am not a powerful man, but I am a pastor, and I do not use power to counsel people.
“You get trained to counsel, and you use wisdom and the leading of the spirit.”
The defendant also denied tampering with WhatsApp messages between him and one of the alleged survivors.
Defence counsel Olukunle Oyewole thereafter informed the court that the defendant would be closing his case.
Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted some extrajudicial statements from the defence counsel in evidence and marked them Exhibits E1 to E7.
Oshodi adjourned the case until December 20 for adoption of final written addresses by defence and prosecution
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