A pastor, who officiated the wedding one of his choristers to her husband, has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin, Edo State, for allegedly abducting and having carnal knowledge of the same woman.
The pastor, Joseph Igwemon, who is the pastor of the Global Influence Ministry, is accused of committing the offence on October 15, 2018, in the Mission Road area of Benin City.
The 34-year-old cleric, who was arraigned on two counts of abduction and an act likely to cause the breach of peace, was alleged to have had carnal knowledge of the victim inside his church.
The prosecution alleged that he kept the married woman in his house in spite of her marital status, saying his action 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.
“That you, Pastor Joseph Igwemon, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid magisterial district, did abduct one Mrs Stella George by keeping her in your house for months, knowing that she is married and thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 361 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 and 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.
She then fixed November 29, 2018, for definite hearing.
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