Tina Amanda
39-year-old Felix Okpara Duruebube, the resident pastor of Mercy House Church International Eliozu, has been remanded in PortHarcourt Correctional Centre by a Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl.
The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) arraigned Felix Okpara Duruebube on a two-count charge bothering on rape and unlawful administration of oath on the victim.
According to the charge, between the month of April 2021 to May 2022 at RayJPE hotel Rumuokoro, Mercy House Church branch Iwofe and N0. 42A road 12 Rumuaholu PortHarcourt in PortHarcourt magisterial district, Duruebube had unlawfully and sexually abused the victim who was 16 years as of April 2021, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 32(1)(2) of Child rights at CAP 50 law of Rivers State, 2003.
The charge also read that sometimes in the month of December 2021 at Mercy house church International headquarters Eliozu in the same aforementioned magisterial district, the suspect had unlawfully and forced the victim to take an oath with him not to sleep with another man or tell anyone that she is having sex with him, else she will run mad and die, thereby committed an offence under section 208 of the criminal code of CAP 37 Vol .11 laws of Nigeria 2004.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail by Chief Magistrate Anugbum O.N with two sureties in like of 2 million naira and one of the Surety will be a Bishop while the second surety will be a relation with landed property within the Magisterial district.
The Court, however, remanded the suspect in prison custody for failure to meet up his bail conditions.
In an interview with our correspondent, Chairperson International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA Rivers State, Adata Bio- Briggs, said the organization is pleased with the condition of bail given to the accused by the trial Magistrate.
The FIDA chairperson tasked people to test all spirit and mind worship centres they go to while frowning at situations where men of God will be encouraging the settlement of criminal matters.
She added that FIDA will follow up to ensure Justice is served in the matter.
