By Matthew Ajai-Kume
The Benue State Police Command has arraigned a 35 years old Clergy, Pastor Philip Ukuma of Steward Salvation Mission ,Mbanor-Gaav, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State before a Chief Magistrate Court in Makurdi for allegedly raping a 15 year old girl.
The Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Friday Kanshio told the Court that, on April 20th,2020 the father of the raped girl Pastor Richard Akpen also of the Steward Salvation Mission, Mbanor-Gaav, Konshisha Local Government Area reported at the Nigeria Police Station, Tse Agberagba that, his family donated planks of wood for the roofing of the Mission house and her daughter of 15 years old was packing the wood when Pastor Philip Ukuma forcefully dragged her into a room within the mission house and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
The police prosecutor said during investigation, the said Pastor Ukuma was arrested for committing the crime contrary to Section 284 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004.
No plea was taken for want of jurisdiction.
The prosecutor told the court that investigation was still on going while the Police await legal advise from the State Ministry of Justice.
The Chief Magistrate, Vincent Kor adjourned the case to November 11th, 2020.
