By Akubulu Ngozi
A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Nwaigwe Stephen has been reportedly remanded by an Awka Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Anambra State, for allegedly raping and impregnating a teenage girl in Anambra.
The said Priest is currently at the Correctional Center in the State was also accused of forcefully taking the pregnant teenager to Benin City where she allegedly delivered the child.
Recall that, the Priest was among the priests that were expelled in 2018 from the Catholic Faith-Based Religious Congregation in Orlu, Imo State, popularly known as the “Two Hearts of Love Congregation” over an alleged misconducts.
According to the victim whose name was withheld, she started living with the priest who took her from her parents with the motive of sponsoring her education, when she was 14 years old.
She also alleged that, the Priest started assaulting her days after moving into his house, which he did persistently until he got her pregnant at the age of 17, adding that, when she informed the Priest about the pregnant he took her from Ihiala in Anambra State to live in Benin City.
Moreover, as regards the child delivered by the victim, police investigation revealed that the whereabouts of the said child is still unknown.
More so, the Presiding Chief Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe has ordered the transfer of the original file of case to the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Anambra State.
However, the case has been adjourned till the 6th of December this year for further hearing.