Pastor Remanded In Custody Over Alleged Rape Of Member Inside Church

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the church premises located opposite Coca-Cola Camp, Km 5 Gboko Road, Makurdi, on 22nd April, 2025.

The victim was said to have suffered her fate after she went to the church to see  her pastor for prayer and counselling in the church over an undisclosed matter.

After interrogation and being found culpable, the clergyman, Pastor Imo, who resides at Gboko Road, Makurdi, was charged before the Magistrate Court in Makurdi, Benue State.

However, the Presiding Chief Magistrate Kevin Mbanongun, did not take his plea for lack of jurisdiction over the matter and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP for legal advice.

The matter was adjourned till 8th October, 2025, for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available.

Earlier, the prosecutor,  Inspector Friday Kanshio, told the court that the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Makurdi, received a petition written by the victim against the Pastor on 2nd September, 2025.

The prosecutor said that the complainant stated in the petition that she went to a Living Faith Church branch, opposite Coca-cola Camp, Km 5 Gboko Road, Makurdi, on 22nd April, 2025, to see the defendant, who was her pastor, for prayer and counselling.

According to the prosecutor, the victim reported that after praying for her, the pastor used a handkerchief to wipe her face and she lost strength and consciousness as a result. The pastor then overpowered her because she could not struggle and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her inside the church without her consent.

Thus, the defendant was arrested and charged for the alleged offence, which contravened Section 284 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue State, 2004.