Pastor Conducts Deliverance On Member’s Wife With ‘Holy S£men’

A High Court in Owerri, Imo State, has convicted a pastor, Apostle Desmond Eke, to eight years in prison for r@ping the wife of one of his church members.

On July 31, 2024, Hon. Justice T.N. Nzeukwu condemned Eke, founder of Deliverance Ministry of The Good Shepherd in Umuihita Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State.

In Suit No. How/32C/2022; State vs. Pastor Desmond Eke, Hon. Nzeukwu convicted the accused after the prosecution, led by Mrs. Chioma Emuka, proved the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The convict was accused of r@ping the 25-year-old mother of four children in the name of rescuing her from a marine spirit he claimed was about to wipe out her entire family.

According to the prosecution, pastor Eke applied a drug to the victim under the cover of holy water and anointing oil, which had a sedative effect on the woman.

She awoke to find herself in the midst of a deep penetration by the pastor. When the woman objected, Pastor Eke explained that having s£x with her was a necessary part of the deliverance, as his holy sp£rm, upon ej@culation, would destroy and liberate her from the chains of her spirit husband and marine spirit.

The defence counsel, Ohaka, who was standing in for Nwanerei of Dauda chambers, argued that his client had been in court throughout the trial and had not jumped bail.

Ohaka urged that his client be sentenced to probation rather than a full term.

In his decision, Justice Nzeukwu convicted pastor Eke on one count of breach of trust and raping the woman, but dismissed him on the third allegation of inflicting harm while raping.

According to the judge, the girl was not fully cognisant throughout the occurrence, so no injuries could have occurred because she did not struggle.

A civil society organisation, the Onurube Foundation, reported the matter to the police, and despite all pressure and threats, they pursued it until justice was served.

Marjorie Ezihe, the convener of Onurube, praised the court for the conviction, saying it will serve as a deterrence to others.

The defendant was convicted under Imo State’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, and his conviction marks the first effective use of the law.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli