Pastor Rapes Girl, 16, During Deliverance

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The General Overseer of the Holy Ghost Mission Church, Pastor Peter Alatake, has been arrested in Owo, Ondo State, for allegedly raping a 16-year old epileptic Secondary School student.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the Church premises in Owo town, Ondo State on 22nd April, 2020, where both of them reside. 

The dastardly act was reported to the Police and he was arrested and later charged before the Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment if he is found guilty.

The Police alleged that the victim was taken to Holy Ghost Mission Church for deliverance but ended up being raped by the clergyman between April 15 to 20, leaving her with serious injuries in her vagina and anus. 

The victim later told her parents that Pastor Alatake did not conduct deliverance on her over the ailment but was busy engaging her in marathon sex since she was brought to the Church. Hence her parents reported to the Police who conducted medical report on her.

The test conducted at Medical Centre, Owo, confirmed the injuries she sustained in her private part as the result of repeated sex on her and the clergyman was arrested and detained at Station for interrogation.

After interrogation, the Police found Alatake culpable and later arraigned him before the Court on Wednesday April 22, on a one-count charge of unlawfully having carnal knowledge of a minor, an offence punishable under section 357 of the criminal laws of Ondo State. He pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him.

The Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adekola Olawoye, who was in Court, announced the decision of the State to prosecute the case.

Counsel to the suspect, Aderemi Adetula, appealed to the Court to grant him bail in view of the ongoing decongestion of prisons and promised to provide credible sureties to ensure his client is available to face justice.

The Presiding Magistrate, Olubumi Dosumu, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be a General Overseer of a reputable Church in Owo and a Director in the Civil Service with National identity card, evidence of one year tax clearance and landed property within the Magisterial District.

The case was adjourned to June 18, 2020, for further hearing. The defendant was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.