Anambra State Government has handed a 65-year-old pastor, Mr. Francis Ogwu to the Nigeria Police Force, for allegedly defiling his seven-year-old domestic help in Awka, the state capital.
The pastor, who hails from Imo State, was nabbed following alarm raised by concerned residents of the area.
The suspect, who is the General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church, Awka, was said to have lived with his wife and children in the state for over 30 years.
Narrating her ordeal, the seven-year-old victim told the State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo that the suspect, who is her guardian has had carnal knowledge of her three times.
“He usually gives me money ranging from N500 to N1000 after each experience.
“Sometimes, his wife accuses me of snatching her husband from her.
“What prompted my leaving the house was repeated beating I received from the daughter over irrelevant issues,” she said.
On her part, the victim’s mother, Destiny Nwabueze, a native of Awka, said she handed the daughter over to the Ogwu family due to the long-standing relationship they had enjoyed.
“I quickly invited the Oga to my house. But when he came, he denied the allegations, which made me raise the alarm that attracted other persons,” she added.
During interrogation, the suspect denied allegations of penetration as against what the victim narrated but added that he just fingered the girl once.
On why he defiled the child, the suspect said, ”I was tempted because my wife usually gives excuses that she’s fasting whenever I want to have quality time with her.
Reacting, Commissioner Obinabo vowed to ensure the victim got deserved justice.
She however advised women to always be vigilant and stop starving their husbands of sex as that could lead to bad behaviors of some men.
She further charged women to always protect their girl child at all costs, insisting that defilement was no longer excusable in the State.
Meanwhile, the family of the suspect stampeded the Commissioner’s office, pleading for pardon, but was referred to the Police where the matter has been transferred.
