- Pastor Bags Life Jail for Abusing Trust, Rap|ng Member’s Daughter
- Court Orders Pastor’s Name on S3x Offenders Register
- The victim told the court that the cleric drugged and rap3d her in 2017, adding that she had trusted him as a spiritual father
A Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a 63-year-old cleric, Chris Douglas, to life imprisonment for rap|ng a church member’s daughter.
Eko Hot Blog reports that while delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the convict, who is the General Overseer of Peculiar Generation Assembly Church in Oshodi, abused his position of authority and trust to exploit the victim.
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The judge described the act as a serious breach of trust, noting that the cleric was seen as a father figure by the victim and her family but instead betrayed that confidence.
The court found that the abuse took place on multiple occasions in a hotel, where the victim had gone in reliance on the cleric for spiritual guidance.
Justice Oshodi also ruled that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, including evidence that the victim suffered severe psychological trauma as a result of the abuse.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution, Babajide Martins, presented five witnesses, including the victim, her mother, and a medical doctor. Medical and documentary evidence were also tendered.
The victim told the court that the cleric drugged and raped her in 2017, adding that she had trusted him as a spiritual father.
Her mother testified that the cleric admitted wrongdoing when confronted, claiming it was “the work of the devil” and pleading for forgiveness before church elders.
However, the defendant denied the allegations, insisting the relationship was consensual. The court rejected this defence, ruling that the claim of consent was not supported by the evidence presented.
While the court discharged the convict on six counts of defilement and s3xual assault due to insufficient proof, it found him guilty on three counts of rape.
Justice Oshodi subsequently sentenced him to life imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The court also ordered that his name be entered into the Lagos State S3xual Offenders Register, stressing the need to protect vulnerable individuals and punish abuse of trust.
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