Metro
Abuja Pastor Bags 20 Years Jail Term for Violating 12-Year-Old Member’s Daughter
A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting at Gudu, presided over by Hon. Justice Adebiyi Osolo, has sentenced a preacher, Bishop Kenneth Duke, to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine, for rape.
The 52-year-old convict, an indigene of Cross River State, was dragged to Court by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for raping a 12-year-old girl (names withheld), the daughter of his church member, who was entrusted under the care of his family.
In case no: CR/702/2023 Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs Bishop Kenneth Duke, the Defendant was arraigned before Court 16 on 02/11/2023 on a 2-count charge for offence of rape and intentionally caused emotional and psychological abuse on the victim.
The offence stated that the convict, who lives behind Dantata Construction Company, Dakwa, Abuja, on 6th March 2023, penetrated the vagina of the victim (name withheld) with his penis without the consent of the victim thereby committing an offence punishable under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015. Investigation revealed that the victim, an indigene of Ondo State was living in Lagos before she was brought to Abuja to live with her mother.
The report indicated that on March 5, 2023, her mother took her to the Church located at Dantata Zuba Expressway, and after the service, she was taken to the family house of the Bishop, who is also the Pastor of the Church so that she could stay with them to enable the Bishop’s wife to take her to where she will learn a skill which both families had earlier discussed.
Reports said the following day, March 6, 2023, the convict, a father of 5 children, sent his children on an errand, and being alone with the victim at home at about 10 am, gave her some Mathematics problems to solve and as she was trying to do it, the bishop pounced on her, covered her mouth and violently raped her on a chair despite her crying and pleading.
In the judgment, the randy clergy was found guilty of a one-count charge of rape and was sentenced accordingly without an option of fine.
The development came on the heels of the rescue of 9 pregnant girls on Monday, by the operatives of NAPTIP at a suspected baby factory located inside one of the sprawling estates in Ushafa area of Abuja.
The victims were locked up in a rented apartment inside the estate by a yet-to-be-identified suspected trafficking agent after recruiting them through an online platform.
The raid on the facility by operatives of NAPTIP followed a tip-off by a concerned citizen who noticed the unusual situation and movement around the area.
Speaking on the conviction, Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, applauded the Judiciary for the landmark judgment, saying it will serve as a deterrent to others.
“I want to sincerely thank the Judiciary for this judgment. It will certainly serve as a deterrent to other people. Like I warned a few weeks ago, NAPTIP will not spare anyone found to have violated any of the Laws irrespective of status, either on human trafficking or violence against persons.
“Rape is a serious crime with everlasting psychological effect and lasting trauma on the victim. We must all rise to say no to this heinous crime and ensure the protection of our Children.
“How, can you imagine a 52-year-old man violating a 12-year-old girl? It is painful and it is criminal.
“I am relieved that the Judiciary has served the convict the commensurable dose of punishment for his action. This is a warning to others,” the Director General stated.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has confirmed the ban on the public parade of criminal suspects by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
This follows an earlier directive by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), prohibiting the practice.
The PUNCH had exclusively reported that the AGF had ordered the police to desist from parading suspects.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, reaffirmed the police chief’s commitment to upholding fundamental human rights and aligning with global best practices in policing.
“IGP Kayode Egbetokun has reiterated the ban on the public parade of suspects by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force. This commitment by the IGP aims to uphold the fundamental human rights of every citizen and adhere to global best practices in policing by reiterating the standing directive prohibiting the public parade of criminal suspects before formal charges are filed in a court of law,” Adejobi stated.
He noted that the directive had previously been communicated to all police commands and zones as part of the force’s modernization efforts and dedication to respecting the rights of all individuals, including criminal suspects.
According to Adejobi, the policy aligns with international human rights standards, which prioritize the protection of human dignity throughout the judicial process.
Adejobi also called on the media and the public to support the directive by ensuring responsible reporting and ethical journalism.
He said, “This directive, previously communicated to all commands and zones within the Police Force, is a cornerstone of the Nigeria Police Force’s modernization efforts and reflects its dedication to respecting the fundamental rights of all individuals, including those suspected of criminal activity.
” The IGP emphasized that this policy is aligned with international human rights standards, which prioritize the protection and preservation of the dignity and rights of individuals throughout the judicial process.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to operating within the bounds of the law and promoting a culture of respect for human rights among its personnel. The IGP seeks the understanding and cooperation of the public, particularly members of the media, in adhering to this directive. Responsible reporting and adherence to ethical journalistic practices are vital in maintaining public trust and ensuring a fair and impartial justice system that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals.”
The Punch
The Lagos State Police Command has sealed off a church at the centre of a chilling murder investigation following the suspected killing of a 28-year-old Lagos State University (LASU) graduate, Adedamola Ogunbode.
The sealed premises is the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Oluwa Parish, in the Ojo area of the State.
Spokesperson of the police command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the sealing of the Church on Monday, while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja.
According to Hundeyin, the Church, believed to be the scene of the gruesome crime, was sealed off to prevent it from being set ablaze by enraged members of the public.
“We received intelligence reports indicating that some people were planning to burn down the church in retaliation. We cannot allow that to happen. The location remains a crucial crime scene, and we may need to revisit it multiple times to gather further evidence,” Hundeyin stated.
The police have already taken three suspects into custody, including the church’s pastor, while a manhunt has been launched for five others.
Alarmingly, two of the wanted individuals are believed to have fled to neighbouring Benin Republic, further deepening the mystery surrounding the case.
The Lagos Police Command had initially declared Ogunbode a missing person. However, in a disturbing turn of events, investigators uncovered damning financial transactions that pointed to something far more sinister. Funds had been suspiciously moved from the victim’s account into those of the suspects, leading the police to reclassify the case as a suspected murder.
“We have intensified efforts to locate the victim’s body and uncover the full circumstances surrounding his tragic death,” Hundeyin assured.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has vowed that justice will be served.
“The command is fully committed to getting to the root of this heinous crime and ensuring that all those involved are brought to justice. However, we urge the public to remain calm and allow investigators to do their job without interference,” he stated.
A member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Lolo Isaiah Opuende, has dismissed an invitation from Governor Siminialayi Fubara for a crucial meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday.
In an online video, Opuende stated that it was time for the governor to “dey his dey” (be on his own) while the lawmakers would do the same.
Representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, Opuende recalled that when the political crisis began, their principal had warned that a time would come for both sides to go their separate ways.
He also questioned the mode of invitation transmission, arguing that it is not feasible for lawmakers to honor the governor’s request.
“How can you write a letter for the House of Assembly and put it on social media and expect us to come? The governor should write us the proper way,” he insisted.
