The Founder and General Overseer of the Victory Revival Fasting & Prayer Ministry, Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe has been arrested for raping a 19-year-old whose name is not disclosed for privacy reason inside the church during deliverance.
The pastor who is popular in Delta state was arrested by the police force for the barbaric act and has been locked up in “A” Division, in Warri.
The State, Warri Area Commander of the Nigeria Police, ACP Mohammed Muktar Garba confirmed the incident to newsmen saying Bishop Elijah was arrested upon the report that was received by the child’s mother who is also a member of the alleged rapist church.
He said;
” She said the pastor had a dream that death was hovering in their house and for peace to reign, she should bring her daughter, Miracle for prayers (deliverance).
“The woman brought the lady to the church pastor. I think what really happened is that the pastor drugged that lady and raped her. I personally took the lady to the hospital because she was in a coma for two(2) days.”
“We were looking for this pastor for the past three weeks. We later traced him to where he was hiding and I got him arrested, and we are charging him to court now. This is somebody that I arrested since Friday. He has been in cell since Friday, Saturday, Sunday and today-Monday. I am charging him to court.”
“We have the pictures. We have examined the victim. I took her to the doctor. He has examined her private parts, and we have everything to charge this man to court.”
Rumor also had it that the police force were being bribed to die down the matter which Garba denied by saying ”I did not demand a dime from him and I will not collect a dime from him. He must face the wrath of the law.”
After the arrest of the cleric man, he has denied all allegations of sexual assault and rape levied against him, he said;
“She came to church on that faithful day, the 20th of May. The mother brought her to the church for deliverance and I prayed for her in front of the altar in the presence of three people. “
“Immediately after the prayer, she left the church. That was around to 12. She came back 5 ‘o’clock with policemen and some crowd, saying ‘this is the man.’ I did not rape her.”