A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday sentenced a self-acclaimed pastor, Michael Dimowo, of Galadimawa village, Lugbe, Abuja to 10 years in prison for raping a six-year-old girl.
Dimowo, 24, was arraigned by the police on December 3, 2012, accused of rape, which contravenes the provisions of Section 283 of the Penal code.
Delivering judgment, Justice Maudashiru Oniyangi refused to give the convict an option of fine.
Oniyangi said: “Based on the foregoing, I find the accused guilty of the offence of rape, which contravenes the provisions of Section 283 of the Penal Code.
“The prosecution was consistent in its evidence through its witnesses.
“I hold that the prosecution has discharged the burden of proof pursuant to Section 135(1) of the Evidence Acts.”
Oniyangi held that the prosecutor has succeeded in proving all the ingredients of the offence against the accused beyond any reasonable doubts.
He added: “In the convict’s testimony, he said that he was a pastor.
“I wonder what he will be preaching to his congregation if at all he is ordained.
“To me, he is not a pastor.
“The convict should be ashamed of himself because as a pastor he defiled and committed rape on a six-year-old girl.
“You are the Judas Iscariot of faith.
“You have betrayed the trust of your congregation.”
Oniyangi in his judgment said that the court still remained the last hope of the common man and the convict by his act did not deserve any mercy.
He said: “Matthew 5:7 says Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
“The convict deserves no mercy and I hereby sentence you to 10 years in prison with no option of fine.”
(Via The Eagle Online)
