Court Begins Trial Of Pastor McDouglas Over Defilement Of Church Member’s Daughter, 14

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the trial began following the report of the DPP’s advice, which found him culpable and recommended that he should be tried for defilement under the Criminal Law of the State.

At the hearing, the Medical Doctor, Mrs. Maria Fadaka, testified before the Presiding Judge, Justice Ramon Oshodi, on 27th March, 2023, regarding the alleged defilement.

Pastor McDouglas was charged with a nine-count indictment, including defilement and sexual assault by penetration, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Dr. Babajide Martins, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), led Dr. Fadaka in presenting evidence before the Court and recounted that the survivor, sought a medical examination on 12th May, 2020, a week after the last alleged sexual encounter with McDouglas.

Mrs. Fadaka, who is the Public Health officer at the Mirabel Centre at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), testified that the survivor reported being raped by her Pastor.

She noted that the last incident occurred approximately a month before the survivor’s presentation at the centre. The medical examination results revealed evidence of “forceful and repeated vagina penetration”.

The Court admitted a copy of the medical report, dated 14th May, 2020, into evidence after no objections were raised by the Defence Counsel.

During cross examination by Defence Counsel, Suleiman Salami, Fadaka acknowledged that someone who had consensual sex could experience repeated vaginal penetration.

She also stated that the survivor did not mention being defiled anally and that no DNA test was conducted to confirm the defendant’s involvement in the alleged offences.