The General Overseer of the Holy Ghost Mission Church, Owo in Ondo State, Pastor Peter Alatake was arraigned in Owo Magistrate Court for allegedly raping an underaged girl of 16 who was suffering from epilepsy.
According to reports, the victim was taken to Holy Ghost Mission Church for deliverance but allegedly ended up been raped by the clergyman between April 15 to 20, leaving her with serious injuries in her vagina and anus. A medical test conducted at Medical Centre, Owo confirmed the injuries she sustained and the clergyman was arrested.
Alatake was arraigned before the court on Wednesday morning, April 22, on a one count charge of unlawfully having carnal knowledge of a minor, an offence punishable under section 357 of the criminal laws of Ondo state. He pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him.
The Ondo state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adekola Olawoye who was in court, announced the decision of the state to prosecute the case.
Counsel to the suspect, Aderemi Adetula, appealed to the court to grant him bail in view of the ongoing decongestion of prisons and promised to provide credible sureties to ensure his client is available for justice.
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The presiding Magistrate, Olubumi Dosumu, granted bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be a general overseer of a reputable church in Owo and a director in the civil service with national identity card, evidence of one year tax clearance and landed property in the magisterial district
The case was adjourned to June 18 2020 for further hearing.
www.sojworldnews.com (c) April 23, 2020
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