A pastor of the Adoration Ministry, Stephen Kalu, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, for raping a 17-year-old girl.
The judgement was passed by Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Abuja High Court, on Wednesday.
The police had in October 2019 arraigned the 29-year-old cleric on a two-count charge of rape.
The cleric had sexual intercourse with the girl on October 28, 2018, at his residence in Karshi, without her consent.
The offence was contrary to section 31 (1) of the Child’s Right Act and punishable under 31 (2) of the same Act.
Justice Kekemeke had charged the prosecutor, Donatus Abah, to establish his case beyond reasonable doubt.
He said the defendant admitted sleeping with the girl numerous times, resulting in a pregnancy and the birth of a baby girl.
The judge noted that though the defendant promised to marry the victim, the offence had been committed and the law must take its course.
Kekemeke ruled that count two was not relevant and convicted the defendant on count one, which contravened section 31 (1) of the Child’s Right Act.
He said society, especially the division of the court, has seen several cases of rape.
Kekemeke added that due to the pathetic situation, the system must be expunged of rapists and kids protected.
“The law is already there. The same defendant committed a similar offence of rape while on bail. He is a danger to our children. The defendant is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment”, he ruled
.
