A Catholic Priest in Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Nwaigwe Stephen, has been remanded in prison until December 6, 2023, for allegedly raping and impregnating a teenager.

The remand order was issued by an Awka Chief Magistrates’ Court, also known as the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court.

Nwaigwe, reportedly among some priests expelled by the Religious Congregation in Orlu, Imo State, called the “Two Hearts of Love Congregation” (Ugwu Nso), is accused of forcefully taking the pregnant minor to Benin City, Edo State, where she delivered her baby. The whereabouts of the child remain unknown.

The priest, facing charges under section 34(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, was accused of meeting the teenager at the St. Albert The Great Catholic Church Parish, Obosi, Anambra State, where he was invited for a religious church program.

During the remand proceedings on Monday, November 20, 2023, the victim, who moved in with the priest at the age of 14, alleged that he sexually abused her, leading to her pregnancy at 17.

She stated, “He started forcing himself sexually on me… I became pregnant at the age of 17.”

The minor further revealed that the priest took her to Benin City, where she gave birth at a native birth attendant’s house.

However, she was informed that the baby had died, and efforts to see the deceased were unsuccessful.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe, emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “the case before the court was an offence punishable with life imprisonment.”

Osakwe expressed concern over the rising cases of rape against minors and emphasized the court’s commitment to addressing such offenses.

The court ordered the prosecutor to transmit the case file to the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Anambra State.

Despite the defense counsel’s application for bail, the Chief Magistrate refused, noting the gravity of the offense and the need to protect the minor involved.

Osakwe warned against the increasing incidence of offenses against minors, stating, “the court would not fold its hands to watch the society decay.”

The case is expected to proceed to the High Court, where witnesses will give evidence.