Justice T.N. Nzeukwu of the Imo State High Court has sentenced Pastor Desmond Eke to eight years in prison for raping a church member’s wife. Eke, founder of Deliverance Ministry of the Good Shepherd in Owerri West, was found guilty of taking advantage of the woman who trusted him.
The prosecution, led by Chioma Emuka, revealed that Eke administered a stupefying substance to the victim, making her dizzy and weak, and then raped her. The victim regained consciousness while Eke was still assaulting her. Eke claimed his semen was “holy” and would deliver her from a marine spirit.
Justice Nzeukwu convicted Eke of breaching trust and raping the woman but acquitted him on the charge of inflicting injuries during the assault, citing the victim’s lack of consciousness. Despite the defense’s plea for leniency and probation, the judge imposed the prison sentence.
This case marks the first prosecution under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in Imo State. Marjorie Ezihe, convener of the civil society organization Onurube, praised the court’s decision, hoping it would deter others from committing similar crimes.
News Editor