DNA tests save Baptist pastor accused of impregnating Nigerian teen

The outcome of DNA tests carried out in both Lagos and Ibadan has vindicated Titus Oladipo, a Baptist pastor accused of raping and impregnating a teenage girl in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.

Oladipo who is the Pastor of Baaki Baptist Church in Ogbomosho shared his story with BBC News Yoruba.

Recalling his ordeal in the BBC interview, the cleric who is just a year to retirement from the service of the church, said he was in his office about two years ago when he got a call from the aunt of the girl in question that the girl was pregnant and that she said he was the one responsible for the pregnancy.

The girl’s auntie who also spoke with BBC said the girl has been staying with her since age six. She said she used to accompany her with her own children to clean the church once a week. She said was the one who discovered girl was pregnant and raised the alarm.

Pastor Oladipo however said he was shocked by the allegation. But there was no way he could defend himself as some elders in the community including pastors had reached a consensus that he was guilty as charged.

He was subsequently invited by the police and locked up in the cell; while the police kept urging him to admit his guilt before he could be released.

“I was locked up and the police came and asked me to write a statement that I was responsible for the pregnancy of the girl. They said that was the only condition that would make them release me. I refused. I said to them if I would have to end up in prison, so be it. I will not admit an offense I did not commit.”

So, he remained in police custody. By the third day according to his account, another police officer came and wondered why he was still being detained. He told him it was because he was asked to agree to what he did not do.

The clause of being responsible for the pregnancy was removed. But he was made to promise he would take care of the girl and also bear her hospital expenses.

He agreed; just to get out of detention. He was released and was paying a monthly upkeep of N25,000 to the girl.

But the case was already being pursued in the court. They had appeared in court on several occasions. The judge requested a DNA test. The first one was done in Ibadan and it showed there are no traces the pastor had anything to do with the girl in question.

The judge did not accept the first result because it was done in a private laboratory in Ibadan. He requested another one. This time they travelled to Lagos for the DNA test. By the time the result came out, it corroborated the first result; showing clearly the pastor had nothing to do with the pregnancy in question.

While thanking God for being vindicated by the result, Oladipo said it was the mother of the girl and a pastor who were behind his travail.

He said throughout his trial, he knew he would be vindicated at last. He said he took solace in the fact that “God is good, no matter the challenges and pain in life”

The pastor’s wife, Dorcas Oladipo who also spoke with the BBC report said since they have been married for 29 years her husband had never betrayed any act of infidelity.

She recalled how she wept seeing her husband in detention. She, however thanked God that he has been vindicated.