-
Secure jail sentence randy pastor
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have busted a suspected baby factory located inside one of the sprawling estates in the Ushafa area of Abuja.
Vincent Adekoye, National Press Officer, NAPTIP, in a statement on Wednesday, explained that the raid followed a tip-off by a concerned citizen who noticed unusual situation and movement around the area.
He confirmed that nine pregnant girls were rescued from the facility.
He said the victims were locked up in the rented apartment inside the estate by a yet-to-be-identified suspected trafficking agent after recruiting them through an online platform.
Meanwhile, an FCT High Court sitting at Gudu, presided over by Hon. Justice Adebiyi Osolo, has sentenced a prominent church founder and bishop of a popular congregation in Abuja, Bishop Kenneth Duke, to 20 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine, for rape.
The 52-year-old convict, an indigene of Cross River State, was dragged to court by NAPTIP for raping a 12-year-old girl (name withheld), the daughter of his church member who was entrusted under the care of his family.
Investigation revealed that the victim, an indigene of Ondo State, was living in Lagos before she was brought to Abuja to live with her mother.
The report indicated that on 5th March 2023, her mother took her to the church located at Dantata Zuba Expressway, and after the church service, she was taken to the family house of the bishop, who is also the pastor of the church, so she could stay with them to enable the bishop’s wife to take her to where she will learn a skill which both families had earlier discussed.
It was gathered that the following day, 6th March 2023, the convict, father of five children, sent his children on an errand, and being alone with the victim at home at about 10 am, gave her some mathematics work to solve, and as she was trying to do it, the bishop pounced on her, covered her mouth and violently raped her on a chair despite her crying and pleading.
Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed gratitude to the judiciary for the landmark judgment, saying that it will serve as a deterrent to others.
She said: “Like I warned a few weeks ago, NAPTIP will not spare anyone found to have violated any of the laws irrespective of status, either on human trafficking or violence against persons. Rape is a serious crime with everlasting psychological effect and lasting trauma on the victim.
“We must all rise against this heinous crime, and ensure the protection of our children. How, can you imagine a 52 years old man violating a 12-year-old girl? It is painful and it is criminal.
“I am relieved that the Judiciary has served the convict the commensurable dose of punishment for his action. This is a warning to others”, the Director General stated.