An Imo State High Court has sentenced Pastor Desmond Eke, founder of Deliverance Ministry of the Good Shepherd, to eight years in prison for raping a church member’s wife. The incident occurred at Umuehieta Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area.
Justice T.N. Nzeukwu found Eke guilty of raping the woman, who had placed significant trust in him. The pastor was tried on three counts: rape, administering a stupefying substance, and breaching trust. According to the prosecution, Eke gave the woman a substance that made her dizzy and weak before raping her. She regained consciousness during the act and confronted him, to which he replied that his semen was “holy enough to deliver her of the marine spirit” troubling her.
Justice Nzeukwu convicted Eke of breaching trust and rape but acquitted him on the charge of inflicting injuries, as the victim was not fully conscious and unable to resist. The defense counsel pleaded for leniency, citing Eke’s good behavior during the trial, and requested probation instead of a full sentence. However, the court imposed the eight-year sentence, emphasizing the severity of the crime and breach of trust.