An Anambra State High Court sitting in Ogidi has sentenced a choir master, James Mary Onuorah, to 25 years imprisonment for raping a 16-year-old girl under the guise of spiritual deliverance.
Justice Chudi Nwankwo of High Court 2, Ogidi Judicial Division, convicted Onuorah on charges of rape and offensive conduct.
The defendant faced a three-count charge and was convicted on the first two counts and sentenced to 25 years for rape and 7 years for offensive conduct.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
The court also ordered the convict to pay the sum of Five Million Naira as compensation to the victim.
The prosecution, Counsel, Nkiru Nzekwu of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, told the court that Onuorah, who served as Choir Master and Church Teacher deceived the victim’s mother by claiming her daughter was possessed by marine spirits and needed deliverance.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that the defendant was discharged and acquitted on the third count of indecent assault against the victim’s elder sister.
Reporting by Uche Ndeke