A 65-year-old pastor in Anambra State has been arrested for sexually abusing his 7-year-old domestic helper. The suspect, Francis Ogwu, is the General Overseer of the Jesus House of Joy Church in Awka, the state capital.
Ogwu was apprehended on Thursday by the police after concerned residents of the community raised an alarm, drawing the attention of the state's Ministry of Women and Social Welfare. During interrogation, the pastor confessed to "just fingering the girl once," though the victim claimed he had carnal knowledge of her three times.
The 7-year-old girl, who is from Awka, was placed under the care of the Ogwu family by her mother due to their long-standing relationship. However, the child later returned to her mother and narrated her horrific ordeal, revealing that the pastor would often give her money ranging from N500 to N1,000 after each incident.
The victim also said that she was accused by the pastor's wife of snatching her husband, and was even beaten by the pastor's daughter, which prompted her to leave the household.
The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, vowed to ensure that the child gets justice and advised women to be vigilant and not withhold sex from their husbands, as that could lead to such abhorrent behaviors.
Obinabo also charged women to protect their girl-child at all costs, stating that defilement is no longer excusable in the state. The case has been transferred to the police, and the suspect's family members who visited the commissioner's office pleading for pardon were directed to the police station as the matter will be charged to court.