Benue Pastor Remanded In Prison For ‘Rαping’ Church Member During Prayer Session

A magistrate court in Makurdi, Benue State, has remanded a pastor, Kelvin Imo, at the Makurdi Correctional Centre over allegations that he raped a church member.

The 34-year-old pastor, who lives at No. 5 Gboko Road, Makurdi, is facing a charge of rape.

The Chief Magistrate, Kevin Mbanongun, declined to take his plea on Wednesday, explaining that the court lacked jurisdiction to handle the case.

The matter was adjourned to October 8 for further mention.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Friday Kanshio, the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Makurdi received a petition from the victim on September 2.

The complainant alleged that on April 22, she visited a branch of Living Faith Church located opposite Coca-Cola Camp, along Km 5 Gboko Road, Makurdi, to seek prayer and counselling from the pastor.

She reported that after praying for her, Pastor Kelvin Imo wiped her face with a handkerchief, after which she felt weak and unable to resist.

The victim claimed the pastor then overpowered her and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her inside the church without her consent.

Kanshio told the court that police investigations led to the arrest of the pastor.

He noted that the alleged act violates Section 284 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue State, 2004.

KanyiDaily also reported how a 32-year-old man, Rasaq Gafar, was arraigned before the Imagistrates’court in Ibadan for allegedly threatening the life of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.