A 34-year-old pastor, Joseph Igwemon, has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin, Edo State, for allegedly abducting and sleeping with of one of his church members.
Mr Igwemon, who is the pastor of the Global Influence Ministry, was said to have committed the offence on October 15, 2018, inside his church located at the Mission Road area of Benin metropolis.
Punch reports that the victim was said to be a chorister in Igwemon’s church and was wedded to her husband by the accused.
According to the prosecution, the offence contravened sections 249(d) and 361 of the Criminal Code applicable in the state.
The charges read in part, “That you, Pastor Joseph Igwemon, on October 15, 2018, at noon in your church, Global Influence Ministry, at 16, Owoseni Street, off Mission Road, Benin, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by having carnal knowledge of one Stella George, who is a chorister in your church, having wedded her and her husband, one Paul Nosakhare, and thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code, Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo State.
Igwemon pleaded not guilty to the charges before the presiding magistrate, Mrs Isi Iyoha, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 and a surety in like sum, who must be gainfully employed.
The case was adjourned to November 29, 2018, for definite hearing.
Comment here