Church Sacked Pastor Who Raped 8-Month Pregnant Woman

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 40-year old Treasure Igbonazabi, pastor of the Living Word Revival Assembly Church who raped an eight-month pregnant woman, Esther James inside a church in Egbeda, Lagos has been sacked by the church council.
The Founder and General Overseer of the church, Rev. Emeka Ngubo ordered his initial suspension and then sack for committing such act, especially in the church.

The disciplinary measure was announced to the church members during the service on Sunday at the church headquarter at Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi Lagos.
The decision followed a complaint by the victim’s husband, Mr. James through a human right group, Campaign for Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, led by Comrade Samson Akande to the General Overseer.
Igbonazabi had denied that he raped the woman but confessed that he has been sleeping with her even before she became pregnant inside the church premises.

He also admitted before the church founder and the police that he had slept with her on many occasion whenever her husband went to work.
“I did not rape her, I know I have being committing adultery with her. I have to open up and confess so that God will forgive me,” Igbonazabi said.
Following the confession, the church sacked and handed him over to the police for prosecution.
Igbonazabi was  arraigned last week Monday before Magistrate’s court sitting in Ejigbo with conduct likely to cause breach of public peace, assault and having forcefully carnal knowledge of the victim, Esther James.
The incident happened at the church branch premises located at Samuel Banjo street, Car Wash Bus Stop in Abule-Odo, Egbeda, Lagos where Igbonazabi used to head.
The suspect who hail from Ihiala, Anambra State, allegedly tore Esther’s pant and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her through anal sex when she went to fetch water from a tap in the church premises. Due to the force used by Igbonazabi to penetrate her, she was injured and bleeding started coming out from her private and was rushed to a hospital where she is being treated.

When arraigned, he pleaded not guilty and the presiding Magistrate, Mrs J.O.E Adeyemo granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He was remanded in prison pending when he will perfect the bail and the matter adjourned till 14 November 20