A court in Makurdi, Benue State, has remanded a 34-year-old pastor, Kelvin Imo, following accusations of sexually assaulting a female member of his congregation.
The victim had visited him for prayer and guidance.
The accused, a resident of Gboko Road, Makurdi, faced a single charge of rape. Chief Magistrate Kevin Mbanongun, however, stated that his court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case and did not accept a plea from the accused.
According to a petition filed by the victim on September 2 at the State CID in Makurdi, the incident occurred on April 22. She alleged that during her visit to the church on Gboko Road, the pastor used a handkerchief to wipe her face, which caused her to lose strength.
The victim alleged that the pastor then overpowered her, and, as she was unable to resist, he proceeded to have sexual relations with her inside the church without her consent.
Police arrested the pastor following an investigation. The prosecutor, Inspector Friday Kanshio, stated that the offense violates Section 284 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.
