The Police Command in Ogun on Sunday said that they have arrested a pastor, Israel Adebayo, who allegedly defiling a 14-years-old choir member at Agbado area of Ogun State.
The Command’s spokesperson,SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, stated this in a statement issued to newsmen in Ota, Ogun.
Oyeyemi explained that a pastor, 38,who was a General Overseer of a church called “The Beloved Chapel” situated at No.9 Iyaniwura St., off Owonikoko,Agbado area of Ogun, following a complaint lodged at Agbado Police Divisional Headquarters by the mother of the victim.
The mother reported that while she travelled to treat herself of certain ailment, her daughter who happened to be a choir member in their church, went to church and the pastor lured her into his room and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.
“Upon the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Agbado Division detailed his detectives to the scene where the pastor was promptly arrested.
“On interrogation, the pastor who admitted defiling the victim pleaded for forgiveness.
“According to pastor, his family and that of the victim are so close, but he didn’t know how and why such thing happened to him.” he said.
The PPRO explained that the preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect would have been arrested long ago, but the mother of the victim frustrated the move because she doesn’t want to offend her pastor.
But when the victim is continuously bleeding from her private part since the incident, which happened on Oct. 2021, she was left with no other option than to allow police to take over the matter.
The victim, who claimed that the pastor was the first person to sleep with her is currently recuperating in an hospital.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Bankole, has ordered the transfer of the case to state Criminal Investigation Departments for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The CP also warned parents to stop the habit of covering anybody who indecently assaulted their daughters no matter how close they are to such persons as they too may be liable for prosecution for compounding felony.