The Enugu State Police Command has arraigned a 63-year-old pastor identified as Luke Eze for the alleged rape of two siblings (names withheld), ages 16 and 19.
The suspect was arrested on September 11, 2025, by operatives of the Iwollo Police Division following a report by the victims’ parent.
Police investigations revealed that the cleric lured the 16-year-old victim to his church, City of Hope Ministry, a.k.a. “Ọkụ Night,” at Okunito-Amansiodo in the Oghe community of Ezeagu local government area, for a “deliverance session” on September 7, 2025.
However, after having her engage in an empty-mortar-pounding ritual, the suspect administered a liquid substance that rendered the victim unconscious which reportedly paved the way for the rape.
Further investigations revealed that when the younger sister did not return home, her 19-year-old sibling went to the church, where she was subjected to the same deceptive ritual.
Both victims were said to have regained consciousness the following afternoon, September 8, to find themselves naked, with bloodstains on their private parts and other physical evidence of the assault.
Spokesman of Enugu Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed that two plastic bottles containing the unidentified substance used by the suspect on the victims were recovered for forensic analysis.
“Luke Eze confessed to the crimes, blaming it on “the devil,” the police spokesman said.
He added that the suspect has been arraigned in court, after conclusion of investigations by the Gender and Anti-Human Trafficking Section of the Command’s State Criminal Investigation Department and remanded in a correctional custody.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, condemned the act as abominable and senseless, cautioning parents and the public against falling prey to criminal elements masquerading as spiritual leaders.
He assured the public of the Command’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served in the case.
