Capital city cleric held in custody on suspicion of sexual assault

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, made a significant ruling on Thursday, ordering Pastor Amos Isah, the founder of the Prophetic Victory Voice of Fire Ministry, to be remanded over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old church member.

n

The decision was handed down by Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi, who directed that the 39-year-old cleric be kept in custody pending the submission of his previous bail records, marking a key development in the high-profile trial that resumed on Thursday.

n

Isah, whose church is located in the Gwagwalada Area Council, entered a plea of not guilty to the eight charges brought against him, which include rape under the Child’s Rights Act 2003, as well as sexual exploitation, coercion, emotional and psychological abuse, gross indecency, and the abduction of a minor.

n

The prosecution's case alleges that the teenage survivor, identified as B.Z.J., was lured by Isah into the church's newly constructed auditorium on May 26, 2025, where he allegedly locked the doors and forcefully had sexual intercourse with the minor without her consent.

n

The charge sheet, marked FCT/HC/CR/467/2024, outlines the details of the alleged crime, including count one, which reads, “That you, APOSTLE AMOS ISAH (39 years), male, of Behind Federal Road Safety, Gwagwalada, Abuja, on or about the 26th day of May, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an illegal act to wit: rape.

n

This count further states that Isah lured one B.Z.J. (14 years old), Female, of Plot Gwagwalada, Abuja, into his office at Prophet Victory Voice Fire Ministry International Church, Gwagwalada, Abuja, and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her without her consent, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 31(1) of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003, and punishable under Section 31(2) of the same law.

n

Following the alleged assault, Isah reportedly handed the victim N3,000 to purchase medication, and also allegedly issued a death threat, vowing to kill the survivor and her entire family if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

n

The court also heard that Isah's actions constituted gross indecency without consent, contrary to Section 285 of the Penal Code Laws, further complicating the case against him.

n

Justice Osho-Adebiyi adjourned the matter until June 30, 2026, for the continuation of the hearing, setting the stage for the next phase of the trial.