By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State High Court 2, Ogidi Judicial Division, has convicted and sentenced a former choir master and church teacher, James Mary Onuorah, to 25 years in prison for raping a 16-year-old girl who reportedly visited his residence for prayers and deliverance.
The court, presided over by Justice Chudi Nwankwo, convicted Onuorah on two of the three counts preferred against him, sentencing him to 25 years’ imprisonment for rape and 7 years for offensive conducts.
The sentences, however, are to run concurrently, meaning that the defendant will effectively serve a 25-year prison term.
The judgment was delivered on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Charge No. HID/4C/2025, in the case between the State and James Mary Onuorah.
The defendant, who was described in the charge as a choir master and church teacher at Iba Pope Parish, Awada, was prosecuted by the State on allegations bordering on rape, offensive conduct and indecent assault.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant was arraigned on a three-count charge of, “Rape contrary to and punishable under Section 3(1)(a) & (2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Law of Anambra State, 2017.
“Offensive conduct contrary to and punishable under Section 7 of the same Law.
“Indecent assault (against the victim’s elder sister) punishable under Section 255 of the Criminal Code Cap. 36, Revised Laws of Anambra State 1991.”
Further details into the prosecution’s case revealed that Onuorah allegedly used his position of spiritual authority to convince the mother of the victim that her daughter was suffering from alleged spiritual afflictions, including “marine spirits” and “spiritual husbands”, and required private deliverance prayer sessions at his residence at No. 8 Amanafor Street, Awada.
The prosecution alleged that the mother, relying on the defendant’s representations, allowed her daughter to attend the said prayer sessions at his residence, where he allegedly subjected the 16-year-old victim to abusive acts under the guise of spiritual deliverance.
The court heard that the defendant allegedly instructed the teenager to undress, purportedly claiming that he was acting on divine direction, before allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with her after making claims that a spiritual husband was responsible for a medical condition and that sexual intercourse with him would be the only solution.
The charge sheet partly reads, “Exploiting this position of spiritual authority, the defendant lured the 16-year-old victim to his altar. He ordered her to strip naked, claiming it was ‘the direction of the Holy Spirit’.
“He went further to collect her menstrual blood and ovulation discharge. He then had sexual intercourse with her, claiming that a ‘spiritual husband’ had caused fibroids in her womb and that the only cure was to sex with him.”
The prosecution further alleged that the sexual encounter resulted in the teenager’s pregnancy, with evidence of her subsequent delivery in April 2026, including a hospital discharge receipt, tendered and admitted before the court.
The defendant was also accused of committing a similar offence against the victim’s elder sister sometime in the past, an allegation for which he faced the third count of the charge.
During the trial, the victim’s elder sister testified as PW1, while the 16-year-old victim testified as PW4, with the prosecution calling four witnesses in total.
During cross-examination, however, the defendant denied the allegations.
The denial notwithstanding, the court rejected his confessional statement after finding that it did not comply with Section 13 and other relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State.
In evaluating the evidence before it, the court found that the prosecution had established the allegations contained in the first and second counts beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Nwankwo described the victim’s testimony as direct, consistent and unshaken during cross-examination, while also finding that the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy and delivery provided corroborative evidence supporting her account.
The court consequently convicted Onuorah for rape and offensive conducts.
During the sentencing proceedings, the prosecution had urged the court to impose the mandatory life imprisonment prescribed under the applicable Violence Against Persons law and further sought an order for restitution to compensate the victim for the injuries and losses she suffered.
The defence, while making a plea in mitigation, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
However, in his final judgment, Justice Nwankwo sentenced Onuorah to 25 years’ imprisonment for rape and 7 years for offensive conduct, with the terms to run concurrently.
The court also ordered the defendant to pay ₦5 million in compensation to the victim.
However, the court discharged and acquitted him on the third count relating to the alleged indecent assault of the victim’s elder sister.
Justice Nwankwo held that the prosecution failed to sufficiently establish the alleged 2014 incident, particularly in the absence of a report or complaint capable of supporting the allegation.
