Justice T. N. Nzeukwu of the Imo State High Court has convicted and sentenced Pastor Desmond Eke to eight years imprisonment for raping his church member’s wife.
Eke, the founder of Deliverance Ministry of the Good Shepherd in Umuehieta Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, was found guilty of taking advantage of the woman who had trusted him.
The convict was tried on three counts: raping the victim, who is also a member of his church, and administering a stupefying substance on her, which made her dizzy and weak.
According to the prosecution counsel, Chioma Emuka, Eke took advantage of the woman while she was in a dizzy state. She regained consciousness while he was still assaulting her.
Emuka stated, “On inquiry as to why he had violated her, the pastor told the 25-year-old woman that his semen was holy enough to deliver her from the marine spirit that was disturbing her.”
Delivering the judgment, Justice Nzeukwu held that Eke was guilty of the charges. The judge convicted Eke on the count of breaching trust and raping the woman but discharged him on the third count, which involved inflicting injuries during the rape.
Since the woman was not completely conscious during the incident, the judge noted there was no way injuries could result as there was no resistance.
Before the sentence, the defense counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that his client had been of good behavior and present in court throughout the trial without jumping bail. He requested that his client be put on probation instead of receiving a full sentence.
A civil society organization, Onurube, reported the matter and followed it to its logical conclusion.
Speaking on the case, the convener of Onurube, Marjorie Ezihe, lauded the court for convicting the pastor. She believed the conviction would serve as a deterrent to those intending to commit similar inhuman acts.
