By Harriet Ijeomah
In a landmark ruling, the High Court sitting in Owerri convicted Pastor Desmond Eke on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, for the rape of a 25-year-old member of his congregation. The conviction marks the first successful prosecution under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law (VAPP) of Imo State, 2021.
In Suit No. HOW/32C/2022, State vs. Pastor Desmond Eke, Hon. Justice T.N. Nzeukwu found the accused guilty after the prosecution, led by Mrs. Chioma Emuka, proved beyond reasonable doubt that Pastor Eke had committed the heinous act.
The court heard that Pastor Eke had been performing a deliverance ritual on the mother of four, who he claimed was afflicted by a marine spirit threatening her family. During the deliverance, the pastor administered a substance he claimed was holy water and anointing oil, which rendered the woman unconscious.
When the victim awoke, she found herself in the midst of a sexual assault by Pastor Eke. The prosecution provided evidence that the pastor, overcome by his own desires, falsely claimed that his actions were part of the deliverance process. He told the victim that his “holy sperm” was necessary to free her from spiritual bondage.
The accused, a native of Umuezeala Umudiwe Dim-na-nume Isu in Nwagele L.G.A., Imo State, is the founder of the Deliverance Ministry of the Good Shepherd, located at Umuehieta Avu in Owerri West L.G.A. of Imo State.
This conviction is a significant victory for the Imo GBV Coalition Group and a historic moment for the implementation of the VAPP Law. The law, enacted in 2021, aims to eliminate all forms of violence in private and public life, providing maximum protection and effective remedies for victims, while ensuring punishment for offenders.
“This case resonates as the first success story of the VAPP Law in Imo State, ” said Majorie Ezihe a representative from the Imo GBV Coalition Group. “It goes down in history as the first recorded successful conviction under this law, highlighting its importance in providing justice and protection for victims of violence.”
The Imo GBV Coalition Group remains dedicated to supporting survivors, advocating for justice, and working towards a society free from violence. This historic conviction serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of collective action and the necessity of robust legal frameworks to protect vulnerable members of society.
