The Ijebu-Ode Diocese Scandal;
A dark shadow has fallen over the Catholic Church in Nigeria, as a shocking homosexuality and sexual abuse scandal unfolds within the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The accusations, leveled against Reverend Father Kenneth, a prominent priest in the diocese, have sent ripples through the faithful and exposed a disturbing undercurrent of alleged misconduct and cover-ups.
The story came to light through the brave account of a whistleblower, Bayo, now 33, who came forward with harrowing allegations of sexual abuse.
In a detailed interview with Punch, Bayo painted a picture of manipulation, exploitation, and institutional failures that have protected a powerful figure for years. He alleges that he was just one of at least nine “brothers” who were sexually abused by Father Kenneth, who, he claims, also introduced them to a secret, homosexual network within the church.
A Deceptive Trust
Bayo's ordeal began when he was barely 14. At the time, his family was struggling, and Father Kenneth appeared as a savior, offering them financial support and guidance.
"I trusted him completely," Bayo recalled, "I never imagined he would exploit that trust."
Moved by the priest's apparent kindness, Bayo grew closer to the church and developed a calling to the priesthood.
His connection with Father Kenneth deepened when the Ijebu-Ode diocese offered him a scholarship to a prestigious school, Sacred Heart Catholic College.
In late 2005, at just 13 years old, Bayo moved into the mission house with Father Kenneth, believing he was giving himself "in whole to him to be formed in gratitude."
Living with the priest, Bayo saw Father Kenneth as a father figure.
The priest even went to court to help Bayo’s mother, winning his trust completely. "He ensured I never lacked the necessities of life or guidance in my spiritual journey," Bayo said.
The priest's influence was so profound that Bayo felt he was growing to "love and desire God profoundly" through their bond.
The Alleged Abuse Begins
What started as a trusted relationship soon morphed into a cycle of coercion and abuse.
Bayo recounted being manipulated into sexual acts, describing months of enduring abuse while living in the mission house. The abuse began subtly.
At first, there was no penetration—only masturbation. “Although I enjoyed the sensation, I did not like the whole affair,” Bayo admitted. But he was too afraid and trusting to say no. “At that time, I took him like my God,” he said.
The abuse, which he claims occurred at least three times a week, continued for years.
After each encounter, Bayo said the priest would encourage him to consume protein-rich foods, particularly milk. Bayo said he felt uneasy about the encounters, but he initially rationalized them by thinking that priests were only forbidden from having relationships with women.
As Bayo grew older, Father Kenneth's demands allegedly escalated.
Two years into the abuse, as Bayo neared 18, the priest reportedly proposed sexual intercourse. Bayo says he initially refused, but as time went on, he eventually relented to a new demand: he would masturbate the priest while the priest had intercourse with him.
This new behavior continued until Bayo left the community. Bayo recalled a chilling conversation after their first climax, where Father Kenneth asked him to compare their semen. "I said his was whiter than mine; mine was just colorless like water," Bayo said.
The priest's response—that Bayo's would become like his with time—left Bayo feeling "that it was all wrong."
A Network of Silence and Collusion
Upon finishing secondary school, Bayo was assigned accommodation near Father Kenneth’s room, giving the priest unrestricted access to him. It was at this time that Bayo began to suspect he was not the only victim.
He claims Father Kenneth listed all of his sexual partners, revealing a shocking reality: seven of the 13 brothers who had finished postulancy were reportedly engaged in homosexual acts.
Of the 28 people in the community, nine were on Father Kenneth’s alleged list.
The abuse became more pervasive as other "sex partners" of the priest allegedly began to approach Bayo, trying to lure him into their own acts. When Bayo turned to Father Kenneth, the priest reportedly advised him to choose one of the brothers as a partner so he would have someone to "practise with" when the priest was away.
Soon, whispers of the alleged homosexual activities began to circulate in the community. Bayo noticed that those involved in these acts seemed to receive more favor from the church.
Trapped and unable to escape, he insists he was attracted to women and was never homosexual.
An Investigation and a Formal Warning
After the allegations came to light, the former Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, Father Albert Fasina, established an investigative commission.
The case eventually reached the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) in Rome.
However, the outcome left Bayo frustrated. While the DDF "acknowledged the validity" of the local proceedings, they issued Father Kenneth a canonical rebuke and directed him to "prudently avoid any persons or situations that could compromise his obligations." No stronger punishment was issued.
Bayo believes much of the evidence he provided was deliberately withheld from the DDF by church officials who he claims colluded to protect the priest.
He also revealed that he received threats after attempting to report the abuse. "They were monitoring my calls and texts," he claimed, adding that someone warned him, "after 12 hours you go be past tense."
Bayo feels that the diocese facilitated his departure from Nigeria to "conceal the deeper secrets within the church."
He is now calling on the church to take stronger measures to protect children and hold priests accountable.
“The faithful deserve transparency. Priests must be held to the highest standards. Silence or inaction will only endanger more lives,” he insisted.