The Ogun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for Pastor Onyekachi Okoli, who is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl during what was supposed to be a deliverance prayer session in Mowe, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola on Friday to newsmen.
According to the PUNCH, the survivor had been invited to a revival programme at the Adoration Fire Ministry in Mowe on September 14, 2024, by the church’s pastor, Emmanuel James.
Two days later, on September 16, around midnight, Okoli, a guest minister from Delta State, allegedly approached the teenager.
Claiming that she needed deliverance that could only be performed at his hotel, Okoli reportedly lured the girl to his room. It was there, during what was supposed to be a prayer session, that the alleged assault took place.
Odutola provided details of the survivor’s report to the police: “The survivor reported the crime at the Mowe Division on September 19, 2024, stating that she had been invited to the church for a revival, where the guest minister informed her that she needed deliverance.”
She continued, “The suspect invited her to the hotel where he was staying. During the deliverance session, he allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, causing her to bleed.”
The police spokesperson further explained the current status of the investigation:
“Our officers were sent to the church, where the pastor was brought in for questioning. He confirmed that the church had invited the suspect as a guest minister for the revival, but he was unaware that the suspect had committed any crime before returning to Delta State.”
Odutola added that the church’s pastor had promised to present the suspect for interrogation and that the police investigation into the matter was still ongoing.
This case bears a troubling similarity to another incident reported by PUNCH Metro on April 23, 2024. In that case, pastor Monday Ogunyomi from the God Foundation Spiritual Church of Christ, Ibùdó Aseyori of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Osioyemi Eleweran, Abeokuta, was arrested for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman during a so-called cleansing prayer on church premises.
Authorities urge anyone with information about Pastor Onyekachi Okoli’s whereabouts to contact the Ogun State Police Command immediately.
