63-year-old Pastor Luke Eze arraigned for drugging, raping sisters
A 63-year-old pastor, Luke Eze, has been arraigned and remanded in Enugu over allegations of raping two sisters during what was supposed to be a “deliverance session.”
The case was brought to light after the victims’ parents lodged a complaint, prompting the Enugu State Police Command to act. The suspects’ arrest was reportedly made by operatives of the Iwollo Police Division.
According to the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Tuesday evening, the pastor lured the 16-year-old sister to his church, City of Hope Ministry, also known as “Ọkụ Night”, located in the Oghe community of Ezeagu Local Government Area, under the guise of deliverance.
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Officials say he first had her carry out ritual acts, such as pounding an empty mortar, after which he administered a substance that caused her to lose consciousness, enabling the assault.
When the younger sister did not return home, her 19-year-old sibling went to the church to search for her. She too was allegedly drugged and raped under the same false ritual pretence.
The victims reportedly regained consciousness the next afternoon and discovered bloodstains and evidence of sexual violation.
During the investigation, police recovered two plastic bottles containing an unidentified substance, which were sent for forensic analysis to determine their nature and possible link to the assault.
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Pastor Eze, while being interrogated, is said to have confessed to the assault, claiming that the acts were influenced by “the devil.”
Following the investigation by the Gender and Anti-Human Trafficking Section of the State Command’s Criminal Investigation Department, Eze was arraigned in court and remanded in a correctional facility.
The Enugu State Police Commissioner condemned the incident, labelling it “abominable and senseless,” and warned the public to be wary of those posing as spiritual authorities.
He assured that the police would pursue justice vigorously, and emphasised that no individual is above the law, regardless of status or office.
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