Worship gathering reveals shocking clergy scandal

A disturbing allegation has surfaced, with a 13-year-old girl claiming she was raped five times by a pastor, who then allegedly gave her mother ₦120,000 to abort the resulting pregnancy.

n

The incident took place in Okutukutu, a suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where the pastor, identified as Kelley, an indigene of Ojobo in Delta State, preached at a small worship centre.

n

On a Sunday, the pastor stood on the altar, giving a testimony about God delivering him from his enemies, but to one woman in the congregation, his words were a cruel mockery, as she believed he was responsible for harming her family.

n

The woman, who is the mother of the alleged victim and the pastor's sister-in-law, sat in silence as the pastor spoke, her emotions simmering just below the surface, until she finally rose from her seat and walked out of the church to report the incident to the police.

n

The mother's world had been turned upside down when her daughter, who had been missing her monthly periods, finally confided in her about the alleged abuse, revealing that the pastor had been preying on her, and the news had left the mother's blood running cold.

n

The young girl, with the support of investigators from the Women Against Gender-Based Violence unit, recounted her ordeal, alleging that the pastor had sexually abused her multiple times and later gave money to terminate the pregnancy, a claim that has sent shockwaves through the community.

n

According to the girl's account, the pastor's actions were followed by a chillingly pragmatic solution, as he allegedly handed her mother ₦120,000 to procure an abortion, a move that was meant to bury the truth, but ultimately backfired when the mother decided to take action.

n

The pastor was eventually arrested, after the mother, unable to bear the sight of him preaching about deliverance from his enemies, reported the incident to the Ekeki Police Division, and he was taken into custody, although not before attempting to escape through the back door.

n

The pastor's wife was also taken into custody, and the community has been left reeling from the news, with many church members gathering at the police station, their faces a mixture of shock, disbelief, and despair.

n

The victim's mother, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that she had been under pressure to withdraw the case, citing family ties and calls for forgiveness, but informed sources attribute her apparent change of heart to alleged financial inducements from the pastor's family.

n

Residents of the area have spoken out about the incident, with one mother of four, Madam Tokere, lamenting the fact that society is quickly degenerating into a hub of paedophiles, and commending the courage of the victim's mother for speaking up.

n

Another resident, Broderick Tari, added that it is disturbing when people misuse positions of trust, like religious leadership, for harmful purposes, and urged the police to ensure that justice takes its course in the matter.

n

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Edebor, has directed that the matter be transferred to the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation, as the community demands accountability and justice for the victim.

n

National President of the Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence, Dr. Dise Ogbise Harry, revealed that the mother is facing pressure from relatives to settle the matter amicably, but her organization is calling for justice for the child and urging the Corporate Affairs Commission to revoke the pastor's licence if he is found culpable.

n

As the investigation continues, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, declined to comment further, stating only that the investigation is ongoing, while the community waits with bated breath for justice to be served.

n

The incident has raised concerns about child safety and vulnerability in the community, with residents urging authorities to prosecute the case to ensure accountability and deter similar crimes, as the victim's family and the community struggle to come to terms with the aftermath of the alleged abuse.