The Anambra State High Court in Ogidi has convicted and sentenced a church choirmaster, James Onuorah, to 25 years’ imprisonment for raping a 16-year-old girl, alongside a concurrent 7-year term for offensive conduct.
Justice Chudi Nwankwo delivered the verdict in the case between the State and the defendant (Charge No. HID/4C/2025), finding Onuorah guilty on two of three counts brought under the state’s Violence Against Persons Law, 2017.
Prosecution counsel M.C. Ikeabunze and Nkiru Nzekwu demonstrated that Onuorah, a teacher at Iba Pope Parish in Awada, abused his position of trust. He deceived the victim’s mother into believing her daughters were possessed by “marine spirits” requiring home deliverance.
During a session at his residence on Amanafor Street, Awada, Onuorah ordered the 16-year-old to strip, extracted biological samples, and assaulted her under the pretext of curing “spiritual fibroids.” The assault resulted in a pregnancy and childbirth in April 2026, with hospital receipts admitted as key corroborating evidence.
While the court discarded an invalid confessional statement, Justice Nwankwo held that the victim’s testimony was consistent and backed by circumstantial evidence.
Rape (Count 1): 25 years’ imprisonment.
Offensive Conduct (Count 2): 7 years’ imprisonment (sentences run concurrently).
Restitution: N5 million compensation ordered to the victim.
The court acquitted Onuorah on a third count involving the victim’s elder sister due to lack of prior reporting.
Source: Punch
