Evangelical pastor charged with sex offences

Friday 25 February 2011

Channel 4 News learns that the head of a London-based evangelical church with 3,000 congregation members has been charged with indecent assault on a child under 16.

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The pastor of a global evangelical movement based in the UK has been charged with sex offences against former members of his congregation.

Dr Albert Odulele who runs Glory House International in London is to appear in court next week. One charge alleges indecent assault of a child under the age of 16.

Dr Odulele, who is 47 years old, is a major figure in the word of evangelism. His church, based in east London, says it has a congregation of 3,000, but he has many more followers around the world through appearances at international evangelic conferences, on religious TV programmes and videos on YouTube.

Registered charity

The church has been a registered charity for 18 years and turns over £2million a year. He was arrested last summer by the Metropolitan Police's Major Child Abuse Investigation Unit.

Update: 3 March 2011 - International preacher Odulele admits sex offences

Dr Albert Odulele, the 'charismatic' head of a London-based evangelical church faces jail after admitting two sexual assaults.

Read more: International preacher Odulele admits sex offences

Accused pastor's church has 3,000 members

Channel Four News has learned that he has been charged with two offences - an indecent assault of an under 16 year old, and the sexual assault of another male teenager. This programme understands the alleged assaults took place in 2003 and 2004.

The Evangelical Alliance - the group that represents evangelical churches in the UK - gave this statement: "Our overriding concern here is for the care, protection and welfare of children and young people, so it is imperative that all churches adopt safe practice in order to protect children and young people from abuse - and staff members and volunteers from the possibility of false accusation."

Channel 4 News made several attempts to contact Doctor Odulele and get reaction from Glory House International. They have not responded, though we are told that he is on "annual leave" at the moment. He is due to appear at Bexley Magistrates Court on Monday.