Police have arrested a 31-year-old church worker, James Rich, for impregnating a 14-year-old girl.
The suspect, who is a yardman, works in St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, Ifite Awka, Anambra, where he also resides with his family, was apprehended by officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Women’s Affairs in collaboration with police operatives.
In a press statement and video sent out by Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide of the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Hon Ify Obinabo, the yardman lured the teenage girl to the church toilet shortly before the commencement of church service and had sex with her, after which he gave her N200 to buy her self something.
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The press release by Ikeanyionwu stated that: “James Rich from Cross River State, but resident in Awka, Anambra State, is a yardman at St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, Ifite Awka.
“The suspect accepted to have defiled the 14 year old and impregnated her in the process. He explained that he usually does so every Sunday morning at the church premises, and that he has had carnal knowledge of her for about three times after which he gives her the sum of N200 to buy biscuit.”
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According to Ikeanyionwu, Rich made it known that he was married with two children and expecting the third and that he lives in the church premises where he carries out his daily activities taking care of the church compound.
“He pleaded for pardon stating that this is his first time of committing the crime and that it was temptation that made him do so.”
Narrating her own part of the story, the victim disclosed that she always comes for the 6:30 am service, but she arrives very early, and on each occasion, Rich takes her to the church toilet for sex before service commences.
She denied being forced by Rich for sex.
In her own reaction to the incident, Obinabo, who spoke through her Special Assistant, Mrs Blessing Nweke, made it known that the case will be taken to court immediately to get justice for the girl.
