In Anambra State, one Francis Ogwu has allegedly defiled his seven-year-old domestic help in Awka, the state capital.
He has since been arrested by the police after concerned community residents raised alarm over the incident.
Ogwu, 65, is said to be the pastor and General overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church, Awka.
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The suspect, who hails from Imo State, has lived with his wife and children in Anambra State for over 30 years.
The state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has also taken over the case.
Ogwu, who, during interrogations confessed to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, that he “just fingered the girl once”, denied other allegations of penetration as against what the seven-year-old victim said.
On why he defiled the child, the suspect explained, “I was tempted because my wife usually gives excuses that she’s fasting whenever I want to have quality time with her.”
Meanwhile, the seven-year-old victim who narrated her side of the story, told the commissioner that her guardian(the suspect) had had carnal knowledge of her three times of which he usually gave her money ranging from N500 to N1,000 after each experience.
She also said that at some point, she was accused by her Oga’s wife of snatching the husband from her, adding that what forced her to leave was the beating she got by the suspect’s daughter over an irrelevant issue.
Speaking, the mother of the victim, a native of Awka, Mrs Destiny Nwabueze, said she handed the daughter over to the Ogwu family due to the relationship they have had over time but was shocked when her daughter returned to her and told her of the development.
Nwabueze revealed that she quickly called the suspect, who upon arrival denied the allegations, which prompted her to involve other persons by raising the alarm.
Reacting to the ugly incident, Obinabo vowed to see that the seven-year-old got the deserved justice and advised women to always be vigilant and stop sex-starving their husbands as that could lead to bad behaviours of some men.
Obinabo, who charged women always to protect their girl child at all costs, noted that defilement is no longer excusable in Anambra State.
Later, the family of the suspect stampeded the office of the commissioner, pleading for pardon, but was asked to head to the police as the case would be charged to court.
