An Abakaliki Magistrate Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of Bishop Onyeagoziri Ndubueze in the Abakaliki Correctional Centre over allegations of sexually abusing a 22-year-old female member of his congregation.
Chief Magistrate Nike Chima gave the order after refusing the bail application submitted by the defence counsel, Mr. Friday Agbom. Chima ruled that the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant bail in the matter.
She directed that the case file be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice and adjourned the case to November 4 for further hearing.
Ndubueze, who was arraigned by the police, is facing a four-count charge bordering on threats to life, falsehood, fraudulent acts, and circulation of pornographic images of the victim.
The prosecutor, Catherine Ajibo, told the court that sometime in 2021 at Mile 50 Layout, Abakaliki, the defendant allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim.
Ajibo further alleged that the bishop obtained the girl’s consent through threats, deceit, and fraudulent means, an offence punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State.
She added that the alleged offence also contravenes Section 20(1) of the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2024 (as amended).
