By Austin Ogwuda
THE General Overseer of Deliverance Ministry of The Good Shepherd, Umuihita Avu, Owerri West local government area of Imo State, Nigeria, Apostle Desmond Eke has been convicted and sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for raping a female member, who is also a wife of one of the members of the Church.
In the Suit Number How/32C/2022; State vs Pastor Desmond Eke, Prosecution led by Mrs. Chioma Emuka stated that the pastor was accused of raping the 25 year-old mother of four children (names withheld) under the guise of delivering her from evil spirits.
He was said to have induced her with a substance under the guise of applying holy anointing oil which sent her into deep sleep only to wake up and found that she has been raped.
Delivering judgment, Justice T.N. Nzeukwu stated that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted him, expressing regret that the convict breached the trust reposed in him by taking advantage to rape the woman in the process.
The Townhall gathered that the matter was reported to the Police by a Civil Society Organisation, Onurube Foundation and tried under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of Imo State, which was the first successful conviction under the law.
Reacting to the judgment, the Convener of Onurube Foundation, Marjorie Ezihe lauded the court for the conviction, noting that it will definitely serve as a deterrent to others despite all pressures and threats encountered the Foundation followed up the case until judgement was delivered.
*Source: Ndokwa Vanguard
