In a landmark verdict, the Rivers State Family Court has sentenced 55-year-old clergyman, Piler Erekwa, to seven years in prison with hard labor for defiling and impregnating a 15-year-old girl in the Ndele community, Emuoha Local Government Area of the state.
The presiding pastor of the Glorious Covenant Church, Erekwa, was apprehended by officers of the Rumuji Police Division in late June 2023.
The victim and her mother were members of the same church.
During the judgment on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, the Chief Magistrate, Ogeh Elkanah, ordered Pastor Erekwa to pay the victim's family the sum of N500,000 as compensation for the medical expenses incurred during her pregnancy.
This payment will be made upon completion of his jail term.
It should be noted that Pastor Erekwa had already pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual abuse when it was presented.
The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Police Command brought forth the charges against him.
The cleric had also reportedly suggested terminating the pregnancy, but the girl's family, who confronted him about the issue, strongly objected to it.
Interestingly, journalists were not allowed to cover the court proceedings, as the Chief Magistrate excused them from the courtroom right after addressing the matter.
He clarified that the Family Court operates differently from regular courts and emphasized the need for journalists to seek the court's permission before reporting on family court cases.
Source - Linda Ikeji
Meanwhile in another news, Less Than 1 Year After Marriage, Mexican Man A.K.A 'Cannibal of Puebla', Kills His Wife, Eats Her Brain And Uses Her Skull As An Ash Tray. See full details here
Comments
Post a Comment