A human rights activist and pastor, Jude Ohanenye, has allegedly defiled an eight-year-old girl in Rivers State.
The accused who is a member of Behind Bars, a human rights group, was arraigned at a Magistrate Court sitting in Port-Harcourt on Wednesday, April 13.
The self-proclaimed pastor was charged on two counts bordering on sexual abuse and defilement to which he pleaded not guilty.
Behind Bars Director-General, Harrison Gwamnishu, who took to his Facebook page to confirm the incident said it was gathered that Ohanenye committed the punishable crime on March 16, 2022 in the Eliozu area of the Port Harcourt.
Gwamnishu said the legal team acted promptly after receiving a complaint against the pastor and member.
He wrote: “A member of our team Pastor Jude was charged to court for child sexual assault on an 8-year-old minor in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
“The victim narrated how Pastor Jude carried her on his lap and fingered her. We received the complaint and quickly ordered his arrest. He was arrested and handed over to the Police for a thorough and unbiased investigation.”
The human rights activist said: “As an organization in forefront of Advocacy to end all forms of social vices, we will never hide our own no matter the pressure.
“Pastor Jude has been remanded in prison custody and the case adjourned till 21st April 2022 for a hearing.”
“We wish to appreciate the Nigeria Police for refusing to grant bail despite the pressure from some highly placed individuals. We appeal to parents to be watchful as anyone paedophile is nearby,” Gwamnishu noted.
The charge against Ohanenye reads: “That you, Jude Ohanenye, on the 16th day of March 2022, at Eliozu, Port Harcourt, in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did unlawfully and sexually abused a girl of 8 years old by touching her vagina, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 32 (1) (2) of the Child Right Act, Cap. 50 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2003.
“That you Jude Ohanenye on the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did defile a girl of 8 years old by inserting your finger into her vagina, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 32 (1) (2) of the Child Right Act, Cap. 50 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2003.”
