A church pastor repeatedly raped children after “holy baths” he claimed would ward off evil.
Michael Oluronbi targeted seven victims over 20 years, telling some they would fail exams or become a witch if his advances were refused.
Four girls became pregnant and his wife Juliana Oluronbi arranged abortions – with one girl estimating she had five or six during secondary school.
A Birmingham Crown Court jury convicted the couple of numerous charges.
Self-styled prophet
Oluronbi, a self-styled prophet who also worked as a pharmacist, “had such a hold over the congregation that anything he said was taken as read”, said police.
One of the victims told the BBC the pastor’s actions had been “terrible” and “affected everyone’s lives”.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said those abused fell under the “influence and authority the defendants held, and honestly believed their actions were on God’s behalf”.
The abuse of one boy and six girls started when they were children – one as young as eight, and for some, continued in to adulthood.
A church pastor repeatedly raped children after “holy baths” he claimed would ward off evil.
Michael Oluronbi targeted seven victims over 20 years, telling some they would fail exams or become a witch if his advances were refused.
Four girls became pregnant and his wife Juliana Oluronbi arranged abortions – with one girl estimating she had five or six during secondary school.
A Birmingham Crown Court jury convicted the couple of numerous charges.
Self-styled prophet
Oluronbi, a self-styled prophet who also worked as a pharmacist, “had such a hold over the congregation that anything he said was taken as read”, said police.
One of the victims told the BBC the pastor’s actions had been “terrible” and “affected everyone’s lives”.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said those abused fell under the “influence and authority the defendants held, and honestly believed their actions were on God’s behalf”.
The abuse of one boy and six girls started when they were children – one as young as eight, and for some, continued in to adulthood.
The jury, which found Oluronbi not guilty of one rape and an attempted rape, could not reach a verdict on six charges.
The CPS announced on Tuesday it would not be seeking a retrial, meaning the Oluronbis’ crimes can now be reported.
Det Insp Dave Sproson, from the Public Protection Unit, said: “These were sickening crimes committed against children who had put their trust in Oluronbi and looked up to him.
“I hope his conviction offers some closure to the victims and I would like to thank them for their bravery throughout the trial.”
The Oluronbis will be sentenced at a later date.
Credit: BBC
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