Police arrest church worker for impregnating teenager
By Matthew Atungwu
A 31-year-old church worker, James Rich, has been arrested for impregnating a 14-year-old girl.
The man, who described himself as a yardman, works in St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, Ifite Awka, Anambra, where he also resides with his family.
He was said to have been arrested by officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Women’s Affairs in collaboration with police operatives.
According to a press release and video sent out by Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide of the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Hon Ify Obinabo, Rich lured the teenage girl to the church toilet shortly before the commencement of church service and had canal knowledge of her, after which he gave her N200 to buy herself something.
The release by Ikeanyionwu stated that: “James Rich from Cross River State, but resident in Awka, Anambra State, is a yardman at St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, Ifite Awka.
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“The suspect accepted to have defiled the 14-year-old and impregnated her in the process. He explained that he usually does so every Sunday morning at the church premises and that he has had carnal knowledge of her for about three times after which he gives her the sum of N200 to buy biscuit.”
She stated that the suspect disclosed that he was married with two children and expecting the third and that he lives in the church premises where he carries out his daily activities taking care of the church compound.
“He pleaded for pardon stating that this is his first time of committing the crime and that it was temptation that made him do so.”
On her part, the victim stated that she always comes for the 6:30 am service, but she arrives very early, and on each occasion, the suspect takes her to the church toilet for sex before service commences.
She denied that she had ever been forced by Rich for sex.
Reacting to the incident, Obinabo, who spoke through her Special Assistant, Mrs Blessing Nweke, disclosed that the case will be charged to court immediately to get justice for the girl.