Ondo Pastor Appears in Court Over Allegation of Raping Pregnant Woman
Ondo State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure has ordered the Nigeria Police to transfer the case File of a pastor, Gbenga Filani, who allegedly raped a five-months old pregnant woman in Akure, to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, for Legal advice.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr Damilola Sekoni, gave the order after the pastor appeared before his court over allegations of rape and assault.
Pastor Filani was arrested by the police last week after the victim accused him of raping her inside his church when she went for deliverance.
Arraigning the defendant, Police Counsel, Mr. Nelson Akintimehin informed the court that the Police has two count charge information against the defendant over the offences.
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He told the court that the offences are punishable under sections 358 and 360 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
Akintimehin prayed the court to remand the defendant pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
But the defence counsel, Mr Adelanke Akinrata, opposed the application and urged the court to grant his client bail pending the issuance of the legal advice.
He argued that there was no evidence before the court to link the defendant with the alleged offence.
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In a short ruling, Magistrate Sekoni granted bail to the pastor in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He said the sureties must depose to affidavits of means, adding that they must also have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
He adjourned the case till January 14, 2022 for hearing.
The charge read, “That you, Gbenga Filani, on December 8, 2021, around 3.43pm at the Celestial Church of Christ, Deliverance Parish, No 1, Owuye Close, Fabunmi Avenue, Oda Road, Akure, in the Akure Magisterial District, did unlawfully have carnal knowledge of a 19-year-old woman without her consent, under the pretext of spiritual healing, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 357 and punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Gbenga Filani, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did unlawfully and indecently assault her by touching her private parts against her will, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 360 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
