The Police in Otu-Jeremi Divisional Headquarters in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, have arrested a 49- year-old man identified as Jonah Agbenor for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl (name withheld) at Ekrokpe community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The suspect’s arrest was made possible by the Committee for the Defence of Human Right (CDHR), Orhunwhorhun/Usi-Effurun Unit who followed up the matter.
Over 15 pastors have reportedly been prevailing on the CDHR not to take up the matter and press charges against the suspect.
The State Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Right, Comrade Israel Joe wondered why a pastor should embark on such criminal escapade and threatening the little girl with death should she reveal the escapades.
“If he (Jonah Agbenor) realized God would judge when he was everyday sexually abusing the little girl with threats that if she speaks out, she would die,” he said.
Comrade Joe urged the Divisional Police Officer not to compromise the investigation.
He stressed that,”We are no longer comfortable with his plea for peace. It is a criminal offence and should be transferred to State Headquarters for further investigations and prosecution. Being a pastor does not keep one immune from issues of criminal prosecution.”
The CDHR Coordinator, Orhunwhorhun/Usi-Effurun Unit, Comrade Ajokpeoghene Emoredeye, gave insight on how they obtained information on the pastor’s criminal act. He said the bubble bursted when the parents of the girl came to Otu-Jeremi Hospital with the girl for medical checkup.
According to Comrade Ajokpeoghene, their investigation revealed that the said pastor took away the virginity of the girl in an uncompleted building with the neighbourhood.
He added that the innocent girl told the CDHR team that the second time the pedo had canal knowledge of the innocent girl was when the father asked her to get his phone from the rapacious man’s house.
“When the father asked her to get and bring his phone that was charging in the Pastor’s house, the girl refused but the father insisted that she must go, unknown to him that her daughter was being abused by the pastor who was regarded as a family member.”
“The one that shocked us was when she confessed that the man had canal knowledge of her on her (victim’s) father’s bed. The girl was continually under threat by the man. But we got to know when the father brought her to Otu-Jeremi Hospital. ”
When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, Otu-Jeremi Division said, ”I’m not the Police PRO. So, I cannot talk with you on phone. If you want to come and meet me, meet me in my office.”
The clergyman has reportedly been transferred to Delta State Police Command, Asaba for further investigation and possible prosecution.