By Ayodele Oni
Anambra state government has confirmed the arrest of a pastor and General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church in Awka, Francis Ogwu, for allegedly defiling his seven-year-old house help.
It was gathered that the General Overseer was arrested following an alarm raised by concerned residents of Awka.
The media aide to Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
Ikeanyionwu explained that the pastor, who hails from Imo State, has been living in Anambra State with his wife and children for over 30 years.
She stated that Ogwu confessed to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, that he “just fingered the girl once”.
The General Overseer was said to have denied allegations of penetration as against what the seven-year-old victim said.
Ogwu attributed his action to temptation, saying his wife usually denied him sex and that she made excuses of fasting whenever he desired her.
The seven-year-old girl, who narrated her side of the story, said the pastor had carnal knowledge of her over three times.
She informed the commissioner that Ogwu usually gave her money ranging from N500 to N1,000 after each experience saying at some point, she was accused by the pastor’s wife of snatching the pastor from her.
The girl noted that what prompted her to leave was the beating she got by the suspect’s daughter at any slightest mistake.
Speaking, the mother of the victim, a native of Awka, Destiny Nwabueze, stated that she handed the daughter over to the General Overseer’s family due to their cordial relationship over time.
Nwabueze said she was shocked when her daughter returned and told her of the alleged defilement.
She revealed that she quickly called the pastor, who upon arrival denied the allegations, which prompted her to involve other people by raising the alarm.
Reacting to the incident, Obinabo said she would ensure the seven-year-old gets justice.
The commissioner advised women to always be vigilant over their husbands’ behaviours.
She also enjoined women to stop starving their husbands sex, saying that could lead to bad behaviour for some men.
Obinabo, who urged women to always protect their girl child at all costs, noted that defilement was no longer an excuse in Anambra State.
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