The Anambra State High Court 2, Ogidi Judicial Division, has sentenced choirmaster and church teacher James-Mary Onuorah to 25 years in prison for raping a 16-year-old girl under the pretense of spiritual deliverance.
Court Convicts on Multiple Charges
Justice Chudi Nwankwo, who presided over the case, convicted Onuorah on a three-count charge including rape and offensive conduct. The charges were brought under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Law of Anambra State, 2017. The defendant was sentenced to 25 years for rape and an additional 7 years for offensive conduct, with the sentences to run concurrently. The court also ordered him to pay N5 million in compensation to the victim.
How the Deception Unfolded
According to court proceedings, Onuorah, who served as a teacher at a parish in Iba Pope, Awada, deceived the victim's mother by claiming that all her daughters were possessed by marine spirits and spiritual husbands. He convinced the mother that they required deliverance at his home. Trusting his spiritual authority, the mother allowed her daughters to attend prayer sessions at Onuorah's residence in Awada.
Exploiting this position, Onuorah lured the 16-year-old victim to his altar and ordered her to strip naked, claiming it was a directive from the Holy Spirit. He then collected her menstrual blood and ovulation discharge before having sexual intercourse with her, falsely telling her that a spiritual husband had caused fibroids in her womb and that the only cure was sex with him.
Pregnancy and Evidence
The victim became pregnant as a result of the assault and later delivered a baby in April 2026, as evidenced by a hospital discharge receipt tendered in court. The prosecution also alleged that Onuorah committed similar acts against the victim's elder sister, though he denied all charges.
The court rejected Onuorah's confessional statement, finding that it failed to comply with Section 13 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State. After evaluating all evidence, including the pregnancy and delivery, Justice Nwankwo ruled that the prosecution had proven the case of rape and offensive conduct beyond a reasonable doubt.
Sentencing and Compensation
In addition to the prison terms, the court awarded N5 million in compensation to the victim, to be paid by the defendant. The case highlights the abuse of spiritual authority and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals under the guise of religious practices.
