Desmond Eke, the founder of Deliverance Ministry of the Good Shepherd in Umuehieta Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, has been convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison by Justice T. N . Nzeukwu of the Imo State High Court. Eke was found guilty of raping a church member’s wife, betraying the trust she had placed in him.
The charges against Eke included raping the victim, who is also a member of his church, and administering a stupefying substance to her, leaving her dizzy and weak.
Prosecution counsel Chioma Emuka stated that Eke took advantage of the woman while she was in a dazed state, only for her to regain consciousness during the assault.
Emuka recounted, “The pastor justified his actions by claiming that his semen had holy properties that could deliver the woman from a supposed marine spirit afflicting her.”
In delivering the verdict, Justice Nzeukwu found Eke guilty of breaching trust and raping the woman but acquitted him of causing injuries during the assault, citing the victim’s lack of full consciousness and resistance.
The defence counsel, in a plea for leniency, highlighted Eke’s good conduct throughout the trial as grounds for probation instead of a full sentence.
This case marks the first prosecution under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in Imo State, thanks to the report filed by civil society organization Onurube which saw the matter through to resolution.
Onurube convener Marjorie Ezihe praised the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of this conviction as a deterrent against non-consensual sexual acts.