Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The general overseer and founder of Rollo Life of Christ Brethren Ministry, Benin, Bishop Gideon Osagie Osazee, has been arrested for alleged sexual assault on two biological sisters.
Four other girls have also summoned the courage by stepping out to testify that Bishop Osazee had sexual intercourse with them too, allegations the Bishop had so far denied by the wave of the hand.
The Bishop was arrested by officials of the Edo State Government after several days of laying ambush for him.
The two sisters said they were aged 13 and 17 when the sexual assault took place.
According to the eldest sister, who claims to be 21 now, narrated that she was sleeping when the suspect had sexual intercourse with her.
Her words: “I woke up and I saw that it was my Pastor. That was how he took advantage of me. He overpowered me. One day, he told the church that he would have a midnight deliverance service for me.
“That night, he made me swear an oath not to reveal about the sexual encounter and said any man that had sex with me would be stuck inside because he has a monitoring mirror.”
The younger sister said she was 13 when the accused Bishop had sex with her.
On his part, Bishop Osazee, who denied the allegations, said he had a relationship with the eldest of the two sisters.
He said the victim told him she was 21 as at the time they began the relationship.
Bishop Osazee said he bought her a ring to propose to her.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugene Abdullah, said other children from the church have spoken out about sexual harassment from the suspect.
She said the case would be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Edo State Police Command for prosecution.
Faith Edebor, of the Vivian Sexual Assault Referral Centre, said preliminary investigation supported claims of the victims.
