Mrs Elizabeth Otobong, the wife of the Zonal Pastor of Believers Ministry Church Incorporated (BMCI) in Benin City, Edo State, who stands accused of the rape of five minors, has said she knew her husband had girlfriends.

The husband, Emerson Otobong, 48, a father of five children with two of them were preparing to secure admission into the university, allegedly raped four minors between age six and 11 from December 2019 to February 2020. Three of the victims were said to be siblings kept in his care.

Elizabeth and Emerson had been married for 20 years. The woman, who sells pap, said in those years she had to cope with the Pastor’s extramarital affairs which often caused her embarrassment.

She, however, described Emerson has a truthful man.

She said,

“I know him to be an honest person but when this incident happened, he did not want to open up to me. I don’t even know how to describe him even though he is my husband of more than 20 years but he is a truthful man.

“Yes, I know he used to have girlfriends and in fact, it is one issue that used to cause quarrel between me and him. On many occasions, I have caught him. I tried to talk to him to stop the habit but he continued doing it so I got tired of talking.

“On many occasions, he promised to stop but then I would still catch him. I never knew he could go to the extent of sleeping with minors and that is why I am beginning to suspect that this thing is not ordinary.

“Most of the time after he has done the act, his eyes would become clear and he would then begin to ask questions and wondered why he did it. I feel there is something behind his actions. It’s like something has spiritual or demonic influence on him.”

WuzupNigeria reports that the rapist pastor first child, who is 18 years old, would rather keep mum over her father’s travail.

But Pastor Remi Yesufu, who spoke on behalf of the church, described the incident as unfortunate.

He said Emerson has been relieved of his duty and de-ordained. He added that the pastor’s original certificate of ordination was also withdrawn.

He said,

“We couldn’t have instigated him to do that and so we cannot be liable and so the kind of crime that was committed is not a crime that can be committed by an inanimate object. A building cannot sleep with a human being. The person who committed the act is a human being because certain things must have occurred before this happened.

“When the matter came to the knowledge of the church, the church took an appropriate action. Immediately, the suspect was relieved of his duty and was de-ordained. His original certificate of ordination was withdrawn.

“Those were the things we needed to do legally and we did them. It would have been a different matter entirely if it was not a criminal matter. I am sure you read the charge sheet which says The State versus Emerson not any of the affected families. The crime was committed against the state and not against the families. That is why it is not a thing that can be settled out of court. It has to be determined by the court. The general overseer gave the instruction that he should be handed over to the police.”

Punch