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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
A 31-year-old man church worker, who gave his name as James Rich, has been arrested for impregnating a 14-year-old girl.
The man, who described himself as a yardman, works in St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, Ifite Awka, where he also resides with his family.
The man was said to have been arrested by officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Women’s Affairs, in collaboration with police operatives.
A press release and a video sent out by Miss Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide of the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo, noted that Rich lured the 14-year-old girl to the church toilet, shortly before commencement of church service, and had carnal knowledge of her, after which he gave her N200 to buy something.
The release by Ikeanyionwu stated that: “James Rich from Cross River State, but resident in Awka, Anambra State, is a yardman at St Michael’s and All Angels Anglican Church, Ifite Awka. The suspect accepted to have defiled the 14-year-old and impregnated her in the process.
“He explained that he usually did so every Sunday morning at the church premises, and that he had had carnal knowledge of her about three times after which he gave her the sum of N200 to buy biscuit.”
She stated that the suspect disclosed that he was married with two children and expecting the third, and that he lived in the church premises where he carried out his daily activities, taking care of the church compound.
“He pleaded for pardon, stating that it was his first time committing the crime and that it was temptation that made him do so,” Ikeanyionwu said.
For her part, the 14-year-old victim stated that she always came for the 6:30am service, but usually arrived very early, and on each occasion, the suspect would take her to the church toilet for sex before service commenced. She denied that she had ever been forced by Rich for sex.
Reacting to the incident, Obinabo disclosed that the case would be charged to court immediately, in order to get justice for the girl.
