Justice T. N. Nzeukwu of the Imo State High Court has sentenced Desmond Eke, the founder of Deliverance Ministry of the Good Shepherd in Umuehieta Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area, to eight years imprisonment for raping a member’s wife.
The court found Eke guilty of exploiting the trust placed in him by the victim, a member of his congregation, who was in a vulnerable state.
Eke faced three charges, including rape and administering a stupefying substance to the victim, rendering her dizzy and weak.
The prosecution counsel, Chioma Emuka, detailed how Eke took advantage of the woman in her altered state, with the victim regaining consciousness during the assault.
In his defence, Eke claimed that his actions were intended to deliver the 25-year-old woman from a “marine spirit,” asserting that his semen was holy.
Justice Nzeukwu, however, dismissed this argument, convicting Eke on counts of breaching trust and rape, but acquitted him of inflicting injuries during the act due to the victim’s lack of resistance.
Despite the defence counsel’s plea for leniency, citing Eke’s good behaviour and his consistent court appearances, the judge imposed a full sentence.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that this case marks the first prosecution under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in Imo State.
The conviction was praised by Marjorie Ezihe, the convener of the civil society organization Onurube, which reported and followed up on the case.
Ezihe expressed hope that this judgment would deter others from committing similar crimes and emphasized the importance of consent and protection for women.
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