The Ogun State Police Command has detained a Celestial Church pastor, Omogbolahan Israel Idowu, over allegations that he sexually abused his 16-year-old stepdaughter.
The development followed a petition filed by the Lagos State chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), which accused the cleric of sexually abusing the teenager from the age of 14 and threatening to kill her if she exposed the alleged acts.
In a petition dated October 26, 2026, and addressed to the Divisional Police Officer of Shimawa Police Division, the human rights organisation said the alleged abuse began after the suspect married the girl's mother, Bukola Rachel Omogbolahan, and the family moved into his residence in the Ologbo Ark area of Shimawa, Ogun State.
According to the petition, the alleged abuse continued even after the teenager turned 16.
CDHR further claimed that the suspect threatened to kill the girl if she reported the incidents, leaving her and her elder brother fearful for their safety.
The organisation consequently called on the police to investigate the allegations, protect the children, and prosecute the suspect if found culpable. It also requested that the minors receive appropriate medical, psychological and social-welfare support.
The group cited provisions of the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Ogun State Child Rights Law in support of its demands.
Providing an update on the matter, CDHR said the Shimawa DPO received and acknowledged its petition on October 27, following which the police invited the suspect, his wife and another pastor from the Celestial Church for questioning.
The organisation disclosed that Idowu and the victim's mother were subsequently detained after giving their statements.
It added that the teenager underwent medical examinations at Shimawa General Hospital on October 28, with the results submitted to the investigating officers.
According to CDHR, the case files were transferred to the Ogun State Police Command headquarters in Eleweran on October 30 before the in q admitted during questioning to having sexual contact with the teenager.
CDHR quoted him as telling investigators that he had “only fingered her (name withheld) once and only had sex with her once.”
The organisation said the cleric remained in police custody as investigations continued, adding that it had been assured of notification once a date was fixed for his arraignment.
It also pledged to provide further information and make the victim and other witnesses available to investigators whenever required.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the safety and welfare of the teenager and her elder brother, particularly in view of the threats contained in the petition.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Investigating Police Officer, Superintendent of Police Kafaya, and the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, were unsuccessful.
As of the time of filing this report, messages sent to the police spokesperson seeking clarification on the case and the status of the investigation had not received a response.
