Pastor remanded for defilement

Tema, Sept. 26, GNA- A 40-year-old pastor of 'Christ Healing Church' at Toflokpo in the Dangme East District, who allegedly defiled a 16-year-old pupil was on Friday remanded in custody by a Tema Magistrate's court.

Nathan Mekporwogbe pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on October 13, 2003.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Margaret Nunoo told the court, presided over by Mrs Florence Ninepence that in September 2003, at about 2100 hrs, the girl was attending the funeral of her late grandmother at Goi, Ada, when the pastor called her.

She said the pastor held the victim's hand, looked at her palm and told her "God loves you, you should, therefore, be serious with your religion, because I have a vision that an evil spirit wants to destroy your life."

The pastor then invited the girl to his house, sent her to his room, laid the bed with a white sheet, lit a red candle, brought a bible, read some passages, and then asked her to sit on the bed so that he could pray for her, the prosecution said.

After prayers, he asked the girl to lie down, after which he joined her on the bed and marked her forehead with a concoction, which put her to deep sleep.

Inspector Nunoo said the next day, at about 0600 hrs, the girl woke up and realised that she was naked and had been raped. The prosecution said the girl rushed home and reported the matter to her parents, who in turn reported the case to the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) in Tema.