A 65-year-old cleric, identified as Francis Ogwu, has been arrested by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly raping his seven-year-old domestic help, News About Nigeria reports.
The media aide to Anambra Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Miss Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, said this in a statement to newsmen in Awka on Thursday.
She noted that the cleric was arrested following an alarm raised by concerned residents of the town.
The suspect, who is said to be a pastor and the General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church, Awka, hails from Imo State and has reportedly lived in Anambra, with his wife and children, for over 30 years.
The commissioner stated that the suspect had confessed to just fingering the girl, and denied allegations of penetration, as levied by the victim.
Ogwu attributed his action to temptation, saying his wife usually denied him sex and that she made excuses of fasting whenever he desired her.
Meanwhile, the seven-year-old, who narrated her side of the story, said the suspect had carnal knowledge of her over three times.
She informed the commissioner that her guardian, Ogwu, usually gave her money ranging from N500 to N1,000 after each experience.
She also disclosed that, at some point, she was accused by the pastor’s wife of snatching the husband from her.
The girl noted that what prompted her to leave was the beating she got by the suspect’s daughter at the slightest mistake.
Reacting to the ugly incident, Obinabo said she would ensure the seven-year-old got justice.
The commissioner also advised women to always be vigilant over their husbands’ behaviours, adding that they should stop starving their husbands of sex as that could lead to bad behaviour for some men.
Obinabo, who charged women to always protect their girl children at all costs, noted that defilement was no longer excusable in Anambra State.
She disclosed that Ogwu has been kept under police custody as the case would be charged to court.
