I have forgiven COZA pastor, Fatoyinbo – Ese Peters

Thirteen years after making public allegations against Biodun Fatoyinbo, founder of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), yoga instructor Ese Peters has announced that she has forgiven him, saying she has experienced a “lightbulb moment” that led to her release from years of personal trauma.

Taking to social media, she recalled how cultural expectations and deep-rooted beliefs about pastors compounded her pain, pushing her to go public with her story a decade ago.

Despite the social backlash she faced, Peters noted that sharing her story brought her some healing, though lingering scars persisted.

In her post, Peters expressed her renewed understanding: “I release Biodun Fatoyinbo from everywhere I have held him in unforgiveness. I do it first for myself, and I also do it for him.” Recalling a recent conversation with a woman who shared insights into similar experiences, Peters realized she could choose a path forward that no longer defined her by past trauma.

Peters also reflected on the societal pressure that once led her to view pastors as beyond reproach, recounting her upbringing, which instilled a reverence and fear for religious figures.

These cultural beliefs, she said, contributed to her confusion and pain following her experience at COZA.

In her post, she included details of how she initially processed the incident, her unsuccessful attempts to seek help within her religious community, and the sense of isolation she felt.

She chose to share her story publicly, despite knowing it would have a lasting impact on her life.

As part of her healing, Peters has decided to step away from involvement in a planned documentary about her experiences, feeling that it no longer aligns with her growth. She described the decision to withdraw as a symbolic step toward embracing her renewed perspective and self-acceptance. “I can choose to rewrite that story,” Peters shared, adding that she no longer sees herself as a victim but rather as someone who has found closure.