From Joseph Obukuta (The New Diplomat’s N|Delta Correspondent)
A Warri-South Magistrates’ Court in Delta State on Wednesday remanded a cleric, Elijah Orhonigbe, at the Warri Custodial Centre for allegedly raping his church member’s 19-year-old daughter.
Orhonigbe, is the founder/General Overseer of Victory Revival Fasting & Prayer Ministry in Warri.
The New Diplomat had reported that the pastor was arrested following a complaint by the mother of the victim and was paraded before newsmen on Monday.
According to the Warri Area Commander of the Nigeria Police, (ACP) Mohammed Muktar Garba, the cleric had carnal knowledge of the girl under the guise of conducting a ‘deliverance’ on her.
The suspect who was arraigned on Wednesday was ordered to be remanded by the presiding Magistrate, Ejiro Diejomaoh pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
The magistrate noted that in case there was no space at the custodial centre, the defendant should be remanded at the ‘A’ Divisional Police Station, Warri.
Diejomaoh consequently adjourned the case until July 24, for mention.
The Police prosecutor, SP Vincent Orawemen, had told the court that the defendant allegedly raped a 19-year-old daughter of his church member on May 20.
Orawemen said that the defendant carried out the unlawful act inside his church.
