Rivers court remands ‘ pastor’ for alleged defilement of 16- year- old girl

AMAGISTRATE’S court sitting in Port Harcourt, has remanded a ‘ pastor ,’ identified as Felix in a Correctional centre for alleged defilement of a 16- year- old girl.

Felix, 39, who pastors at Mercy House Church International was on Monday arraigned before Chief Magistrate O. N Anugbum on a two- count charge preferred against him by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department ( SCIID).

The accused, however , pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail by the Magistrate with two sureties in like sum of N2 million.

The Magistrate stated that one of the sureties will be a Bishop, while the second surety will be his relation with landed property within the Magisterial District.

He was taken to Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, after he failed to meet his bail condition. Consequently, the case was adjourned to July 7, for continuation of the trial.

The charge sheet marked N0. PMC/ 1025c/ 2022, reads: “You Felix Okpara Duruebube between April 2021 to May 2022 at RAYJPE hotel Ru

muokoro, Mercy House Church branch, Iwofe and N0.42A Road 12 Rumuahulu Port Harcourt in Port Harcourt Magisterial district did unlawfully and sexually abused a girl of 16/ 17 years, by inserting your manhood into her vagina, thereby committed an offence punishable under section

32( 1)( 2) of Child rights at CAP 50 law of Rivers State, 2003.

“You Felix Okpara Duruebube , sometimes in December 2021 at Mercy House Church International Headquarters Eliozu in the same aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully force a girl of 16/ 17 years old to take an oath with you not to sleep with another man or tell anybody that she is having sex with y ou, else she will run mad and die, thereby committing an offence under section 208 of the criminal code of CAP 37 Vol .11 laws of Nigeria 2004.”

Speaking outside the courtroom, chairperson of the International Federation of Women La wyers, ( FIDA) Rivers State chapter, Adata Bio- Briggs, said the organisation is pleased with the condition of bail given to the accused.

She assured that FIDA will follow up on the case to ensure that justice is served in the matter.