By our reporter 19.7.2026
An Anambra man identified as James Mary Onuorah who raped and impregnated a 16-year-old girl has been sentenced to a 25-year jail term and ordered to pay N5m to the victim.
A High Court sitting in Ogidi handed down the sentence on July 17, 2026, to the convict who deceived the girl’s mother her daughter is troubled by “marine spirit,” which needed to be exorcised. Presiding judge Justice Chudi Nwankwo, said his offensive conduct mustn’t go unpunished.
The defendant was arraigned on a three-count charge of, “Rape contrary to and punishable under Section 3(1)(a) & (2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Law of Anambra State, 2017.
The prosecution led by M.C. Ikeabunze told the court that the convict who is a choirmaster and church teacher at Iba Pope Parish, Awada, told the girl’s mother that all her daughters were possessed by “marine spirits.” It was also alleged that the convict also performed a similar “deliverance” for the victim’s elder sister.
“Relying on this, the mother allowed her daughters to attend prayer sessions at the defendant’s residence at No. 8 Amanafor Street, Awada.
“Exploiting this position of spiritual authority, the defendant lured the 16-year-old victim to his altar. He ordered her to strip naked, claiming it was ‘the direction of the Holy Spirit’.
“He went further to collect her menstrual blood and ovulation discharge. He then had sexual intercourse with her, claiming that a ‘spiritual husband’ had caused fibroids in her womb and that the only cure was sex with him.
“As a result, the victim became pregnant and delivered a baby in April 2026. Her hospital discharge receipt was tendered and admitted in evidence.”