A pastor, Alasco Sobowale, has been accused of raping a
12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Epe, Lagos State. The pastor was said to
have allegedly had carnal knowledge of the girl at their home located at 10,
Togodo Street, Temu Town.
The victim’s aunt, Mrs. Ngozi
Anjorin, said the incident occurred on December 15, 2012
Anjorin said the victim only spoke
Igbo Language and had recently arrived Lagos from Imo State. She said Sobowale,
who also speaks Igbo, allegedly lured her niece to the toilet around 9pm and
had sex with her.
She said, “My niece was sent to
Lagos about two weeks before the incident so I could send her to school because
she doesn’t speak English Language. She only speaks Igbo and only I and the
pastor, who is our neighbour, speak Igbo.
“On that particular night, my
children were in the room watching television but I couldn’t find my niece. I
kept on shouting her name but I got no answer. I then proceeded to the toilet
which is detached from the building. I knocked on the door of the toilet and
the pastor immediately ran out and I saw her inside the toilet.
“When I inquired of her what she was
doing inside the toilet with the pastor, she said he lured her into the toilet
and covered her mouth with his palm so she wouldn’t scream. She said the pastor
brought out his penis and forced it into her anus. She said he also put his
penis in her vagina and when she discharged a particular fluid, he used a
handkerchief to scoop it.”
Anjorin said Sobowale, who lives
with his wife and children in the same compound, fled after the incident.
Anjorin said two days later, she
reported the matter to the Epe Police Division and the policemen began to look
for him.
It was learnt that two days later,
the police were able to arrest him.
Residents told NEWSMEN that after
Sobowale’s arrest, some of his church members accused a six-year-old girl of
bewitching the pastor and had her flogged and paraded.
A source, who craved anonymity,
said, “Sobowale is not actually the head pastor. His wife is the senior pastor
of the church known as Okiki Imole. A few days after the incident, a
six-year-old girl was branded a witch and accused of manipulating the pastor to
commit the dastardly act.
“The poor girl was beaten up and
paraded round the town. They said when the pastor was conducting deliverance
for her; her spirit took over his body.”
Anjorin said the alleged rape victim
was rushed down to Epe General Hospital where tests were conducted on her.
A copy of the doctor’s report made
available to NEWSMEN, stated that the victim’s “vaginal hymen is no
longer intact and bruises were observed in the anal region.”
The report further stated that there
was sperm residue in the victim’s private part and it was concluded that she
had been sexually assaulted.
A doctor, who spoke to NEWSMEN on
the condition of anonymity, said because Sobowale had not provided his sperm
sample, it was impossible to ascertain if it was his own sperm that was found
in the victim’s private part.
NEWSMEN learnt that Sobowale
was released a few days later and charges against him dropped.
Anjorin however protested the
development, adding it was not safe for her niece to live in the same compound
with Sobowale.
A neighbour, who craved anonymity,
said it was the habit of policemen in the area to cover up such crimes.
“Whenever a crime of this nature
occurs, the police would ask the suspect to offset the victim’s hospital bill
and then grant the suspect bail. It is very common in areas like Epe because it
is not situated in the metropolis,” he said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for
the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed that the girl was raped.
Braide said the police had not taken
sides, adding that the pastor was released on bail because courts were not in
session.
“The pastor is in charge of a white
garment church in the area. He will be charged with sodomy. He was released on
bail because courts are not sitting but once courts resume, he will be
charged,” she said.
THE END.
1. GUYS, What do you think?
2. How would you judge this case?
3. Should the pastor bring the
sample of his sperm to confirm if he did or did not rape the girl?
LET’S HAVE YOUR VIEWS. THANKS