A High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has discharged and acquitted an Ekiti cleric after spending two years and two months in prison on accusation of rape.
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Prophet Samson Adeniji of Eri Oba Gorah Gospel C&S Church in Ikere-Ekiti, who is popularly known as Eri Oba Gorah was discharged and acquitted on the 3-count charge levied against him before State High Court 3 presided over by Justice Aladejana in April, 2023.
Counsel to the cleric, Barr. Adeyinka Opaleke said: “Oba Gora was discharged and acquitted. Justice Aladejana of State High Court lll, Ado Ekiti found him not guilty of the crime and legally blameless of the charges against him, after 2 years and 2 months in prison.”
The cleric told newsmen that his ordeal started in March 2021 when one lady called Nife joined his church and during a night vigil, joined others who prayed on water.
He said prior to that time, Nife had been complaining of headache and stomach problem and later confessed that the problem started after she was violated by one Alfa Jamiu Jejelaye while she thereafter fainted and was taken to the hospital.
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According to the prophet, the girl was unconscious for five days in the hospital and her mother blamed him for her predicament and was detained by the police on July 8, 2021 but released after regained consciousness, alleging that Alfa Jamiu Jejelaye was responsible for her problem.
He disclosed that the case was later transferred to State CID where he was detained for 16 days while he expended over N650, 000 on her hospital bill because she was a member of his church.
He said the case was transferred to High court 2 before Justice Monisola where he faced 3-count charge of rape, administering drug and making Nife to carry water while Alfa Jejelaye who allegedly violated her was set free and that the case dragged on till 2023 after which it was taking before Justice Aladejana.
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During the hearing, he said the girl at the centre of the matter told the court the prophet only helped her and did nothing untoward to her while the Investigating police officer testified that no rape was alleged by the girl and that other counts were concocted.