Police arrest pastor over minors’ abuse in Bayelsa 

A Lagos court has sentenced a man, Idris Ashimiyu, to life imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl, while police in Bayelsa State have arrested a 50-year-old pastor, Ambros Mark, over alleged sexual abuse of two underage girls.

The two cases generated calls by women’s rights advocates for protection of children and diligent prosecution of alleged sexual offences against minors.

In Lagos, Justice Abiola Soladoye of theSexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, sentenced Ashimiyu after finding him guilty of a one-count charge of defilement brought against him by the state government.

The defendant had pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial.

During the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, A.A. Adeniyi, called one witness, the survivor, who told the court that she was 13 years old at the time of her testimony but was 11 when the incident occurred.

She said she knew Ashimiyu, who ran errands and washed cars within their compound.

Recounting the incident, the girl told the court that she was outside when the defendant came upstairs, began touching her and subsequently inserted his penis into her vagina.

She said her grandmother discovered what had happened after looking for her and finding her with the defendant.

According to the victim, Ashimiyu was beaten before being taken to the police station.

The defence counsel, A.O. Ayode, called one witness, Ibrahim, who said he knew the defendant but was not present when the incident occurred because he had gone to work.

He said he learnt about it from a neighbour and that Ashimiyu had told him he did not rape the girl but was only playing with her.

In her judgment, Justice Soladoye said the court had carefully evaluated the evidence, including the minor’s age, the consistency of her account and the issue of consent.

Describing her testimony as credible and coherent, the judge held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

She found Ashimiyu guilty, sentenced him to life imprisonment and ordered that his name be entered in the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.

In Bayelsa, police arrested Mark following allegations that he sexually abused two girls, aged 13 and 14, who were reportedly members of the choir at Point of Redemption Church International, behind the Amarata area of Yenagoa.

The younger girl is from Abia State, while the older girl is from Ogbia Local Council of Bayelsa State.

Sources said the case came to light after the 14-year-old girl allegedly objected to the sexual acts and reported the matter to her father, a police officer attached to the state command. The father subsequently lodged a complaint at the
‘A’ Division, leading to the pastor’s arrest last Saturday.

Police spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect had reportedly confessed and that investigations were ongoing.

He added that the Commissioner of Police had directed that the case and suspect be transferred to the state police headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.

The allegations have drawn condemnation from women’s rights organisations, including the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Bayelsa State chapter, and the Do Foundation.

FIDA Bayelsa Chairperson, Dr Boma Tonye Miebai, said the organisation was monitoring the case to ensure that the children’s rights and interests were protected and justice pursued.

She urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure diligent prosecution, stressing that no religious title or position placed anyone above the law.

The Founder of the Do Foundation, Dr Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, also expressed shock over the allegations and condemned the reported abuse of the children.

Residents’ separate claims that the pastor had previously been involved in inappropriate relationships with underage girls have yet to be independently verified.

Reports that he allegedly attempted to settle the matter financially with one of the victim’s family members also remain allegations.

FIDA said the affected children must be guaranteed safety, dignity, confidentiality and access to appropriate legal and psychosocial support as the investigation proceeds.