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, 2012Anjorin 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 our correspondent 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 PUNCH
Metro, 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 our correspondent 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.
PUNCH metro 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.
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