A pastor based in Abuja, Amos Isah, who is facing serious allegations of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, has resumed church services after being released from detention on medical grounds.
Isah, the General Overseer and founder of Prophetic Voice of Fire Ministry International, located in Gwagwalada, was seen in a video posted on social media on Sunday, energetically leading worship and receiving a warm welcome from members of his congregation.
The cleric was arrested on 18 June and held in custody by the Force Criminal Investigation Department for over five weeks.
However, on 25 July, the Federal Capital Territory High Court granted him bail.
Justice Enobie Obanor approved the bail application after Isah claimed he was suffering from “pulmonary tuberculosis which has progressively deteriorated into a severe form of obstructive airway disease.”
He also alleged that his health had worsened while in police detention.
Despite citing serious medical concerns in court, videos surfaced just days after his release, showing him actively ministering during church services. Footage posted to his official Facebook page confirmed that he held services on 31 July, 2 August, and 3 August, with the Sunday service drawing the largest crowd. In one of the clips, ushers dressed in suits formed a protective barrier around the pulpit as members cheered his return.
Isah had been arrested following accusations of rape made by a 14-year-old girl who served in the church’s media department. According to the girl, the incident took place on 26 May after Isah invited her into his office. Initially silent out of fear, she later confided in a friend, who encouraged her to speak with her parents. Her father subsequently reported the case to the police.
The teenager, whose identity is withheld for protection, told Premium Times during a hospital visit on 30 June that she began experiencing abdominal pain and bleeding weeks after the alleged assault, leading to a medical checkup.
Following investigations, the police charged Isah with four offences, including rape, acts of indecency, and physical violence. He was arraigned before the FCT High Court on 22 July and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The charges were filed under Sections 1(2), 2(1), and 3 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, and Section 285 of the Penal Code, 2015.
In court, Isah requested bail, submitting an affidavit that referenced his deteriorating health and a previously clean legal record. The police opposed his application, presenting a counter-affidavit that cast doubt on the authenticity of his medical claims.
Nevertheless, Justice Obanor ruled in favour of the bail request, noting visible signs of illness during the hearing, including a persistent cough. The court also pointed out that the charges were not capital offences, making bail legally permissible. Conditions for his release included a N5 million bond and two sureties, both civil servants residing in the FCT and not below Grade Level 12.
The case unfolds amid growing concern over a surge in rape cases across Nigeria in 2025, particularly those involving minors. The National Human Rights Commission has reported a spike in incidents, raising alarms over the safety of children and the effectiveness of the justice system.
In May, a landmark judgment saw the FCT High Court sentence 27-year-old Abdulhameed Ahmed to life imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old girl. That case stood out for its swift resolution, in contrast to the delays and failures that often mar similar prosecutions, where many alleged offenders walk free due to lack of evidence or witness withdrawal.
