A High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State has sentenced a pastor, Apostle Desmond Eke, to eight years imprisonment for r@ping the wife of his church member.
Eke, the founder of Deliverance Ministry of The Good Shepherd, Umuihita Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, was convicted by Hon. Justice T.N. Nzeukwu on July 31, 2024.
In Suit No How/32C/2022; State vs Pastor Desmond Eke, Hon. Nzeukwu convicted the accused after the prosecution led by Mrs. Chioma Emuka, had proved the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
The convict was accused of r@ping the 25 year-old mother of four children under the guise of delivering her from a marine spirit he claimed was about to wipe her entire family.
According to the prosecution, pastor Eke administered a substance on the victim in the guise of holy water and anointing oil, which had a soporific effect on the woman.
She woke up to find herself in the middle of deep penetration by the pastor.
When the woman resisted, the Pastor Eke told her that having s£x with her, was an essential part of the deliverance, as his holy sp£rm, upon ej@culation, would destroy and liberate her from the chains of her spirit husband and marine spirit.
The defence counsel, Ohaka, standing in for Nwanerei of Dauda chambers pleaded that his client had been of good behaviour having been present in the court throughout the trial without jumping bail.
Ohaka pleaded that his client be put on probation instead of a full sentence.
Delivering his judgement on the matter, Justice Nzeukwu convicted pastor Eke on to count charge of breaching trust and molesting the woman, but discharged him on the third count which bothers on inflicting injuries during the rape.
According to the judge, the victim was not completely conscious during the incident so there was no way injuries could result since she didn't put up any resistance.
The case was reported to the police by a civil society organisation, Onurube Foundation and despite all pressure and threat, they followed it up until judgement was delivered.
Reacting to the judgement, the convener of Onurube, Marjorie Ezihe, lauded the court for the conviction, adding that it will serve as a deterrent to others.
The convict was tried under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of Imo State, and is the first successful conviction under the law.
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