Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 31-year-old Anglican Church labourer, identified as James Rich, for allegedly impregnating a 14-year-old girl in the church toilet.
The incident was said to have happened in one of the churches, name withheld, in Ifite, Awka, in the state.
The suspect, who hails from Cross Rivers state but working as a yardman in the church, was said to be married with two kids and expecting his third child.
The suspect confessed that he defiled the teenager and impregnated her in the process.
He pleaded for pardon, blaming the act on the devil.
He said, “I usually sleep with her every Sunday morning at the toilet in the church premises. But I had carnal knowledge of her for about three times after giving her N200 to buy biscuit.
“I plead for pardon. This is the first time I’m committing the crime and it’s temptation that made me do so.”
The 14-year-old victim, who allegedly, had developmental challenge, disclosed that the suspect usually defiled her every Sunday morning before 6:30am service commenced.
While reacting to the incident, the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, revealed that the suspect was arrested through assistance of State Police Command.
Speaking through her Special Assistant, Blessing Nweke, the commissioner disclosed that the matter was reported to her through the victim’s guardian.
She said the suspect was apprehended after the victim was certified pregnant, noting that the case would soon be charged to get justice for the victim.
She then warned adults to stop defiling young girls, especially minors to avoid spending the rest of their lives in prison as the state condemns at such acts.
