Anambra Pastor Accused of Raping Teenager on Church Altar During Deliverance
A shocking case of alleged sexual abuse has emerged in Anambra State, where a 16-year-old schoolgirl, Precious Okafor, has detailed how a pastor reportedly raped her on a church altar during what was supposed to be a spiritual deliverance session. The incident, which has sparked outrage, involves Evangelist Dozie Ezani of Jesus Is Ontop Ministry, who has admitted to misconduct but attributed his actions to the devil's influence.
Teenager's Harrowing Account of Abuse
Precious Okafor shared her traumatic experience in an interview with Punch after being rescued by operatives of the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency in Onitsha. According to her, the ordeal began when her aunt, believing the pastor's claim that Okafor was possessed, took her to his house at night and left her alone with him. "My aunt said her pastor told her I was possessed and needed deliverance. She brought me to his house at night and left me with him," Okafor recounted.
She alleged that the pastor made initial advances while she was asleep, touching her until she pushed his hands away. After several attempts, he left, but the situation escalated the following day. "The next day, he took me to his church in Amichi to carry out a 'special deliverance'," Okafor said. "He told me that I urgently needed God's special intervention to be freed. But while the deliverance was going on at the altar, he attempted to force himself on me, but I resisted."
Alleged Repeated Assaults and Starvation
The teenager further claimed that the pastor withheld food from her for days, weakening her to the point where she could no longer resist. "For days, he didn't give me food. At one point, I became very weak due to hunger, and the pastor overpowered me and started forcefully having intercourse with me," she stated. Okafor alleged that this abuse occurred multiple times on the church altar during the deliverance sessions and also at the pastor's poultry farm in Igboukwu, a neighbouring town in Aguata Local Government Area.
Pastor's Admission and Defense
Evangelist Dozie Ezani, the suspect, has acknowledged his misconduct but shifted blame to supernatural forces. In his statement, he said, "It is the devil's handiwork. I didn't know what came over me." He was arrested on his farm and taken to the security operatives' office in Onitsha before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka.
Ezani appealed for leniency, arguing that the situation was not entirely his fault since the girl was brought to him. "I appeal to the security operatives to temper justice with mercy. It is not entirely my fault, as the girl was brought to me. I also promised to cover her medical bills if I am released," he said. This defense has drawn criticism from observers who emphasize the gravity of the allegations and the need for accountability in such cases.
Community and Legal Implications
The case highlights serious concerns about abuse within religious settings and the vulnerability of minors. Authorities in Anambra State are investigating the matter, with the pastor currently in custody. The incident has raised questions about the oversight of religious leaders and the protection of children in communities, urging a broader discussion on safety measures and legal recourse for victims of such crimes.
