Imo Pastor, Accomplice Arrested for R3ping 20-Year-Old Woman Lured With Prayer, Confess to Gay Relationship
The community of Umuobom in Ideato-South Local Government Area of Imo State has been thrown into a state of shock and disbelief following the arrest of a 32-year-old pastor, Ikenna Emmanuel, and his associate, Franklin Chizoba, over the alleged r3pe of a 20-year-old woman. The two men were apprehended by operatives of the Orlu Divisional Headquarters after the victim reported that she had been sexually assaulted under the pretext of receiving prayers. The incident, which has now become the subject of intense public scrutiny, has also reignited debate about religious accountability, sexual violence, and the country’s strict laws against homosexuality.
According to the Imo State Police Command, the incident occurred on June 30, 2025. The v1ctim, whose identity is being withheld for privacy and security reasons, was contacted by Pastor Emmanuel, the founder of Authentic Power City Church, a Pentecostal congregation known for deliverance sessions and prophetic declarations. Emmanuel allegedly informed her that he had received a divine revelation that she was under spiritual attack and urgently needed deliverance prayers. Believing she was acting in her best interest, the young woman accepted his invitation to come to his residence for the prayers.
Upon arrival, she was offered a drink, which she accepted. Police say that shortly after consuming the drink, she began to feel dizzy and physically weak, to the point where she could not resist when the pastor allegedly began to make unwanted sexual advances. It was during this vulnerable state, investigators allege, that Franklin Chizoba entered the room, and both men took turns raping her. The victim later recounted to police that she remembered parts of the assault but was too weak to defend herself. When she regained full consciousness, she left the residence deeply shaken and resolved to report the incident.
Following her complaint, operatives from the Orlu Divisional Headquarters acted quickly to arrest both suspects. Police spokesperson DSP Henry Okoye confirmed that the men were taken into custody without resistance. During interrogation, both suspects reportedly confessed to raping the woman and admitted to engaging in homosexual acts with each other. The police statement noted that this additional revelation carried its own criminal implications under Nigerian law.
On August 12, 2025, the suspects were arraigned in court and remanded at the Owerri Correctional Facility pending trial. They face charges of rape, which is a serious offence under Nigerian criminal law and can attract life imprisonment. They may also be prosecuted under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014, which criminalises same-sex relations and prescribes up to 14 years in prison. Legal analysts warn that combining the charges could complicate the case, as it introduces a secondary issue unrelated to the primary allegation of sexual assault.
The case has generated significant controversy in Umuobom, where Pastor Emmanuel was a well-known figure. Many congregants have expressed feelings of betrayal, describing the pastor as someone they trusted with personal and spiritual matters. Others claim that there had long been whispers about his conduct but that no one had concrete evidence until now. Some residents have gone so far as to say that the incident has damaged the moral standing of the church itself, which has since been closed temporarily.
Advocates for victims of gender-based violence have commended the young woman’s decision to report the case, noting that many victims in rural communities remain silent due to stigma and fear of retaliation. Mrs. Ifeoma Opara, coordinator of the Women’s Rights Initiative in Orlu, said the case could encourage other victims to speak out. She emphasised the need for community support and protection for the victim as the trial proceeds.
The incident has also sparked broader discussions about the influence of religious leaders in Nigeria and the potential for abuse of that power. In many Pentecostal and prophetic churches, pastors enjoy near-total authority, with congregants often deferring to their spiritual guidance without question. Experts argue that such unchecked power can create opportunities for exploitation, particularly when spiritual consultations occur in private settings without oversight.
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Another layer of controversy has emerged from the suspects’ confession to homosexual acts. In Nigeria, same-sex relationships are both illegal and socially stigmatised, especially in rural and deeply religious communities. Some residents have called for traditional forms of punishment, claiming that the incident has brought spiritual pollution to the community. Human rights groups have urged against mob justice and stressed that the suspects must be tried in accordance with the law.
This case bears similarities to other incidents in Nigeria involving religious leaders accused of sexual misconduct. In 2019, a prominent Lagos pastor was accused of raping a church member, sparking nationwide protests under the hashtag #ChurchToo. In 2021, another pastor in Akwa Ibom was arrested for allegedly drugging and assaulting a female congregant in his office. In both instances, trials dragged on for years, highlighting the slow pace of Nigeria’s judicial system in prosecuting such offences.
The Imo State Police Command has used this case as an opportunity to caution the public against visiting religious leaders in private settings. DSP Okoye advised that spiritual consultations should be conducted in open spaces or in the presence of others to reduce the risk of abuse.
As the case moves forward, the trial is expected to draw significant public attention. If convicted of rape, the suspects could face sentences ranging from 14 years to life imprisonment. If prosecuted separately for the homosexual confession, they could also receive an additional 14-year sentence. Human rights lawyers have warned that merging the two matters could prejudice the court and overshadow the primary issue of consent and assault.
Beyond the legal proceedings, the case has prompted reflection on several societal issues: the abuse of religious authority, the prevalence of gender-based violence, and the tension between Nigerian criminal law and human rights principles. For the people of Umuobom, the revelations have shattered long-held perceptions about a man many saw as a spiritual leader. For the victim, the journey toward healing has only just begun, and for Nigerian society, the case underscores the urgent need for stronger protections against sexual abuse, regardless of the perpetrator’s social or religious standing.
The court is expected to set a trial date in the coming weeks, and both law enforcement and advocacy groups say they will be watching closely to ensure that justice is done. In the meantime, the community continues to grapple with the shock, anger, and disbelief left in the wake of the scandal.