GBV: WINNERS’ CHAPEL PASTOR SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR DEFILING MINOR (DOWNLOAD EKITI STATE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (PROHIBITION) LAW, 2019.)

The High Court of Ekiti State, sitting in Ado Ekiti and presided over by Justice O.I.O Ogunyemi on Thursday convicted and sentenced to Life imprisonment a pastor of Winner Chapel Church situated at Omuo- Ekiti, Enoch Gbinyiam on a lone count offence of Rape of a minor.

The survivor who is the daughter of one of his church members was said to have been raped by the pastor in one of her visits to the vicarage.

The innocent survivor of the rape usually frequented the mission house to help the wife of the Pastor with house chores, teach and help his young children in their school assignments.

It was during one of her visits to the vicarage that the convict offered her a sedated bottle of Fanta. The poor girl took the Fanta and slept off and woke up to find herself bleeding profusely from her vagina.

The convict was arrested and charged to Court. He was charged with the offence of Rape contrary to section 2 of the Gender–Based Violence (Prohibition) Law,2019.

the Gender–Based Violence (Prohibition) Law was promulgated to eliminate violence in private and public life; prohibit all forms of violence against persons, particularly women and girls who are disproportionately affected; provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims; prescribe the punishment of offenders and for other related matters.

Offences covered by this law include

·         Physical violence.

·         Verbal violence.

·         Psychological violence.

·         Sexual violence.

·         Socio-economic violence.

·         Domestic violence or in intimate relationships.

·         Harassment and sexual harassment.

DOWNLOAD EKITI STATE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (PROHIBITION) LAW, 2019.

The learned Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, who prosecuted the case for Ekiti State called 4 witnesses and tendered 2 Exhibits to float his case.

The convict who spoke through his counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke, gave evidence in his defence and called one other witness.

The Honourable Court in his wisdom gave judgement and held that the Prosecution proved the offence of Rape against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

The Judge consequently convicted the defendant and sentenced him to Life imprisonment