On Friday June 5th detectives from the Nigerian police force, area command Warri Delta State arrested the Founder and General Overseer of the Victory Revival Fasting & Prayer Ministry, Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe for allegedly raping a 19-year-old girl while conducting a deliverance session with her.
The general overseer has since Friday been in the police cell in “A” Division, Warri, Delta State.
ACP Mohammed Muktar Garba, had confirmed the arrest while addressing newsmen.
Mohammed Muktar Garba said: “The pastor had a dream that death was hovering in their house and for peace to reign, she should bring her daughter, Miracle for prayers (deliverance).
“The woman brought the lady to the pastor’s church. I think what really happened is that the pastor drugged that lady and raped her. I personally took the lady to the hospital because she was in a coma for two(2) days. He had said.
ACP Garba said, “We were looking for this pastor for the past three weeks. We later traced him to where he was hiding and I got him arrested, and we are charging him to court now. This is somebody that I arrested since Friday. He has been in cell since Friday, Saturday, Sunday and today-Monday. I am charging him to court.”
“We have the pictures. We have examined the victim. I took her to the doctor. He has examined her private parts, and we have everything to charge this man to court.”
The ACP addressing the allegation that he had collected bribe from the suspect said ,”I did not demand a dime from him and I will not collect a dime from him. He must face the wrath of the law.”
However, the cleric who spoke to newsmen on his way to court on Monday morning denied the allegation, he said, “I did not rape her. She came to church on that faithful day, the 20th of May. The mother brought her to the church for deliverance and I prayed for her in front of the altar in the presence of three people. Immediately after the prayer, she left the church. That was around to 12. She came back 5 ‘o’clock with policemen and some crowd, saying ‘this is the man.’ I did not rape her.”
The 19-year-old victim shared her ordeal with newsmen, “He started having sex with me through the back. That was all I could remember. There was sperm all over my body. I shouted. He even said I should come again. I want to be the last person he would do this to” she concluded as she demand for justice.
The victims mother spoke briefly with newsmen, “They didn’t give me a dime. I don’t want to collect any money. I want justice.” the mother had said.
Also demanding for justice is a Human rights activist comrade Isreal Joe who also spoke briefly with newsmen, he said, ”We are fighting against Antichrist not the body of Christ.
“So, we stand for justice. We want justice to be done. Rape is a criminal offence and it has been criminalized by our law and society.”
The commissioner of police Delta State also addressed the press men confirming the arrest of the Bishop.
The Commisioner of Police Mohammed Hafiz Inuwa confirming the arrest of the Bishop said, “Yes, I am aware, even though I’m out of the state for official duty. I have been fully briefed by the Area Commander.
”It’s a case of rape in which the bishop drugged the girl and raped her in the name of deliverance.”
However, Prince Clem Ade Omotoy who happens to be the victims lawyer in a chat with press men said, ”We are ready to follow the matter to its logical conclusion.” As he condems the act and demands justice.
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