Imo Pastor Sentenced To 8 Years For Raping Church Member
In a landmark judgment, the Imo State High Court has sentenced Desmond Eke, the founder of Deliverance Ministry of the Good Shepherd in Umuehieta Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area, to eight years imprisonment for rape. Eke, who was charged with three counts, was found guilty of raping a member of his congregation, who had trusted him as her spiritual leader.
The victim, the wife of one of Eke’s church members, was subjected to a horrific ordeal when Eke administered a stupefying substance that left her dizzy and weak. The prosecution counsel, Chioma Emuka, detailed how Eke took advantage of the victim while she was in this vulnerable state, and she regained consciousness to find him still assaulting her.
Emuka revealed that when confronted, Eke claimed his actions were meant to deliver the 25-year-old woman from a so-called “marine spirit,” stating that his semen was “holy” enough to achieve this.
Presiding over the case, Justice T. N. Nzeukwu convicted Eke on the charge of breaching trust and raping the woman. However, the court discharged him on the third count, which involved inflicting injuries during the assault, reasoning that the victim’s lack of full consciousness meant there was no resistance and, therefore, no injuries.
The defense counsel urged the court to show leniency, arguing that Eke had been cooperative throughout the trial and had not attempted to flee justice. They requested that Eke be placed on probation rather than receiving a full sentence.
This case marks the first prosecution under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in Imo State, highlighting a significant step in addressing sexual violence and ensuring accountability within the region.
