The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State has convicted and sentenced a 63-year-old pastor, Chris Douglas, to life imprisonment for raping a church member’s daughter.
Penpushing reports that Justice Rahman Oshodi delivering judgment held that Douglas, the General Overseer of Peculiar Generation Assembly Church, Oshodi, abused his position of authority and trust to exploit the victim.
The judge describing the conduct as a gross breach of trust stated that the cleric instead of protecting that trust, he betrayed it in the most reprehensible manner, adding that the convict occupied a position of spiritual authority and was regarded as a father figure by the victim and her family.
Penpushing further reports that the judge held that the abuse occurred in a hotel on several occasions, pointing out that the victim and her family relied on the cleric for spiritual guidance, emphasisng stated that the prosecution proved that the victim suffered severe psychological trauma as a result of the abuse.
The judge added that the court accepted the evidence that the victim suffered depression and recurring suicidal thoughts as a direct consequence of the cpnvict’s actions,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that, the prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins, during the trial called five witnesses, including the victim, her mother, and a medical doctor.
The victim narrating her ordeal told the court that the clergyman initially drugged and raped her in September 2017, adding that she trusted him like a spiritual father, who she never imagined he could do such to her.
Penpushing reports that the mother of the victim told the court that she confronted the convict after discovering the incident, adding that when she went to the church, the cleric cried and said it was the work of the devil, begging in front of the elders of the church
The complainant said the matter was later reported to a human rights organisation, the police at Makinde Division, and the Mirabel Centre for a medical examination, however, the convict, denied the allegations and told the court that the relationship was consensual.
Penpushing further reports that the judge rejected the claim, holding that the evidence before the court established rape beyond a reasonable doubt, stressing that the defence of consent was not supported by the totality of the evidence before the court.
The court reviewed both oral and documentary evidence and considered objections raised by the defence under the Evidence Act, 2011, while some documents were discounted for non-compliance and, the court held that the oral testimony of the medical expert, Dr Maria Fadaka, remained admissible.
Penpushing also reports the court noted that although some alleged incidents were not sufficiently proved to have occurred before January 2018, the prosecution successfully established rape in relation to incidents when the victim was already 18 years old.
The court consequently discharged the convict on six counts of defilement and sexual assault but found him guilty on three counts of rape, hence, the judge sentenced the pastor to life imprisonment on each count, holding that the sentences shall run concurrently.
Penpushing reports that the judge declared that the law must protect the vulnerable, and the court will not hesitate to punish abuse of trust in the strongest terms, and equally ordered that the convict’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
