The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the founder of Gracious Covenant Church, identified as Pastor Piler Erekwa, for allegedly defiling and impregnating a 15-year-old girl in the Ndele community, Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
OsunDailyNG learnt that the victim and her mother were members of Pastor Piler’s Church, who was arrested following a complaint made by one Amesi ThankGod.
He disclosed that the girl usually goes to church to pass the time whenever her mother goes to the farm until they noticed some changes in her behaviour.
According to ThankGod, after a medical examination proved she was pregnant, the girl’s elder sister took her to the 45-year-old clergyman, who reportedly admitted that he was responsible for the pregnancy.
ThankGod revealed that the pastor pleaded with the girl’s sister to allow him to get rid of the pregnancy, but the family objected to it.
He added that the matter was reported to a vigilante group who in turn handed over the suspect to the Rumuji Police Division in EmuohaEmuoha and was taken into custody.
He said, “If her mother goes to the farm, the girl normally goes to the church to relax and returns in the evening.
“Then in the last few days, the girl started vomiting. My wife (her elder sister) took her for a medical examination. The result shows she is pregnant
“But he (pastor) said they should give her some drugs to flush the pregnancy so that the girl will be free.
“But if we allow that, the girl may die and we have ourselves to blame”
Meanwhile, the state Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, has confirmed the incident, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
She said, “Yes, we are aware of the incident. The suspect has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing”
