In a public petition addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, Minister of Police Affairs, and Lagos State Governor, the blogger accused Olukoya of forcing his church members to stay against their will.
A Nigerian social media influencer and YouTuber based in the United States, Mrs. Funke Ashekun has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to probe the allegations of sexual assault and restriction of religious freedom against the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, Dr Daniel Olukoya.
In a public petition addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, Minister of Police Affairs, and Lagos State Governor, the blogger accused Olukoya of forcing his church members to stay against their will.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported how the blogger petitioned the police in Maryland and Nevada to investigate the same matter.
In her petition which had attracted 44 signatures on Monday, she alleged that Olukoya's actions go far beyond the realm of religious practice and into the realm of exploitation and abuse.
She alleged that Olukoya had been systematically preying on single mothers and young women from vulnerable backgrounds.
She said his victims, fearing retribution and harm, have been hesitant to come forward and speak out against him.
She wrote: “I am writing to urgently bring to your attention the grave and alarming activities of Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, a supposed clergyman who has been exploiting and oppressing poor Nigerian citizens, especially those who worshipped in his Church and have chosen to leave for the reasons best known to them.
“Those who voluntarily walk into his Church are coerced into staying, facing severe repercussions if they attempt to leave. Unless you leave and disappear like you no longer exist, Dr. DK Olukoya comes after you, and he brings you back, makes you apologize, and then destroys his victims eventually. A look into the activities of his Church will affirm this claim accordingly.”
She said the actions of the cleric had “inflicted severe harm on numerous individuals and families, creating a climate of fear and suffering that must be addressed urgently”.
“Please note that Dr. DK Olukoya uses some high-ranked corrupt police officers and some individuals in his Church. For example, there is a police officer who is also a leader in Olukoya’s Church.”
She said, “Another approach Olukoya uses to perpetrate evil against harmless Nigerian Citizens in his Church is to use other individuals. Richard's rearrest was on the ground that one Opeyemi Emmanuel claimed that Richard visited her house with a gang with dangerous weapons wanting to kill her only child, yet she is unable to provide any evidence. This has been how Olukoya frames innocent members up and throws them in prison.”
“Sir, your honorable self and office will attest that these are serious safeguarding issues. The world is watching how a single man has destroyed so many lives while he hides behind people who allow themselves to be used. He is a very wealthy person; no individual can legally challenge him in court; they can't afford it. And if they do, their safety is not ascertained as DK Olukoya controls the police, legislative authority, and more in our dear nation. Should this continue? Sir, kindly help,” she added.