A Benin High Court on Friday remanded a 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem, in a correctional centre for allegedly raping a married woman, Isoken Aigbedo.

Pastor Okehielem, known as Ebube Wonder of Ebube Wonders Synagogue Prayers Ministry, also called Healing and Deliverance Mountain, faces a two-count charge of rape and felony intent.

The alleged rape incident reportedly led to the birth of an illegitimate child by the victim.

The police prosecutor, Polycap Odion, told the court that the crime was allegedly committed in February 2022 in Benin City.

Mr Odion said the incident occurred in the Uholor Community, within the court’s jurisdiction.

He alleged that the defendant gave the woman an unknown substance to swallow and raped her while she was unconscious.

The offence contravenes Section 4 and is punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.

It also violates Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo, 2022.

The prosecutor, in a motion ex parte, cited the laws and requested the defendant be remanded for 14 days.

He said the remand was to await legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Justice Anthony Erhabor ordered the defendant’s remand and adjourned the case to July 25 for hearing.

(NAN)