Awka – The Anambra State Government, in collaboration with the Police, said it apprehended a 65-year-old pastor, Francis Ogwu, who allegedly defiled his seven-year-old domestic help in Awka.
Mrs Ify Obinabo, the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, said on Thursday in Awka, that the arrest followed a report by concerned residents to the ministry.
Obinabo said the suspect who hailed from Imo state, is a pastor and general overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church in Awka, but has lived with his wife and children in Anambra for over 30 years.
“I want to assure you that justice will be served on this matter and I advise women to always be vigilant and stop sex starving their husbands as that could lead to bad behaviors of some men.
“I’m also calling on mothers to always protect their girl-child at all cost, because defilement is no longer excusable in Anambra state.
“The suspect will be handed over to the police and charged accordingly,” she said.
Narrating her ordeal, the seven-year-old girl said her guardian, Mr Ogwu, has had carnal knowledge of her three times and he gave her money, up to N1,000, after each experience.
She also said that at some point, the wife of her guardian (the suspect) accused her of snatching her husband.
Speaking, the mother of the victim, Mrs Destiny Nwabueze, a native of Awka, said she handed her daughter to the Ogwu family due to their cordial relationship and was shocked when her daughter reported that the pastor defiled her.
She said she quickly called the suspect, who denied the allegations, which prompted her to involve other persons by raising alarm.
During questioning, the suspect said he only fingered the girl once and denied other allegations of peneration as reported by the girl.
“I was tempted because my wife usually give excuses that she is fasting whenever i want to have quality time with her.
