The Family Law Centre in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered the arrest of a Pastor, Onyekachi Njoku, for allegedly defiling and impregnating a 13-years-old.
Elizabeth Nwali, the Chairperson of the centre, gave the order on Thursday after the clergy serving under the Heavenly Preparation Church at Nsokara in Ezza-South Local Government Area of the state, failed to appear in court twice to face trial.
The Chairperson accused the church’s General Overseer of shielding the Pastor who was allegedly transferred to another branch following the incident.
“The pastor is now on the run because his general overseer transferred him instead of bringing him to the centre,” she said.
Earlier, Mr Matthew Chukwu, uncle to the girl, told the centre that Njoku allegedly committed the act at his residence in Nsokara in Ebonyi.
According to Chukwu, the victim’s pregnancy was confirmed by her parents Mr and Mrs Nyanja Chukwu, when she fell ill in June.
He recounted how Njoku had allegedly deceived the family with a prophecy that the victim would be pregnant and die in the process.
Chukwu said Njoku delivered the prophecy to the victim’s parents and suggested a 7-day deliverance and prayer as the only solution to the victim’s survival.
He said her parents sent the victim to the church for the deliverance and prayer to avert her death but the pastor allegedly raped and impregnated her.
“She was in church when Njoku sent for her and upon her arrival Njoku started making advances on her, dragged her in and raped her.
“The victim told the family that Njoku threatened her not to speak to anyone about the act or she will die.
“Njoku took her viginity and threatened her. So, that was how she hides it until she fell sick.” the victim’s uncle said.
Chukwu added that he was directed to the centre after reporting the matter to the community.
