Apostle Desmond Eke has been jailed for 8 years by a High Court sitting in Imo State for raping the wife of his church member.
The presiding judge, Justice T.N. Nzeukwu jailed Apostle Eke, the General Overseer of Deliverance Ministry of The Good Shepherd, Umuihita Avu, Owerri West local government area of the state, on July 31, 2024
The conviction followed a rigorous trial during which the prosecution led by Mrs Chioma Emuka, proved the guilt of Apostle Eke beyond a reasonable doubt.
The cleric pretended that he was casting out a marine spirit from the 25-year-old wife of his church member. He had instilled fear in the heart of the lady that the spirit was about to wipe out her entire family.
The prosecution told the court that the convict administered what he claimed was holy water and anointing oil on the victim. It turned out it was a substance which had a soporific effect on the woman, and caused her to lose consciousness.
By the time she came round, the convict had deeply penetrated her.
Her attempt to push him off was resisted by the man who told the woman that having sex with her was an important part of the deliverance.
He further told the woman that his holy sperm, upon ejaculation, would destroy and liberate her from the chains of her spirit husband and marine spirit.
At sentencing, the defence counsel, Ohaka, who represented Nwanerei of Dauda chambers, pleaded that Apostle Eke had been of good behaviour, attending all the proceedings without jumping bail.
Ohaka asked that Eke be put on probation instead of a full sentence.
Justice Nzeukwu later convicted pastor Eke on the count of breach of trust and rape, but discharged him on the third count of inflicting injuries on the victim during the rape.
The judge reasoned that there could not have been any struggle that would have led to an injury because the victim was not fully conscious during the act.
The convener of Onurube Foundation, Marjorie Ezihe, lauded the judgement and remarked that it would serve as a deterrent to others with warped mindsets.
Apostle Eke was the first to be tried under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of Imo State.