Court sentences church general overseer to life imprisonment for r3ping 16-year-old ‘spiritual daughter’ in Calabar

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According to CrossRiverWatch, Pastor Favour Maxy Okoise, the General Overseer of Refiners Fire Global Assembly, was found guilty of raping a 16-year-old “spiritual daughter” in Calabar, Cross River State, and was given a life sentence.

The magazine claims that the ruling, which was sought by Gender and Development Action (GADA), was handed down at the Cross River State Customary Court of Appeal’s Family Court, which was presided over by His Lordship, Hon. Justice Blessing Egwu Obin.

The minor was exploited by the convicted church founder in the state’s Calabar South Local Government Area between November and December of 2016.

The survivor, who wishes to remain anonymous, arrived in Calabar in August 2016 for her Post UTME exam. She stayed on Goldie Street with her older sister, whom the prisoner often visited to provide spiritual lessons.

According to the survivor’s testimony, the prisoner repeatedly harassed her sexually and made inappropriate physical contact with her. He tricked her into thinking that “God needed her body as much as her spirit and soul” after multiple failed attempts to coerce her into having sex.

He asserted that he could instill spiritual values in her through sexual relations, forcing her to cooperate against her will and brainwashing her into accepting him as her “spiritual father” who would enable her to serve God.

In delivering her verdict, Justice Blessing Egwu Obin remarked that after reviewing the cross-examination, exhibits, and facts provided, she found that “the defendant had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim (O.P.I) as a minor.”

Citing the Cross River State Child Protection Law of 2003, she said, “Accordingly, Favour Maxy Okoise has been sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay a compensation of 1 million Naira to the survivor. This is the judgment of this court.”

Barrister Doris Nduanusi, one of GADA’s attorneys and prosecutors, said she agreed with the court’s ruling, saying, “we need more activists, we need more voices to be heard to let society know that these kinds of ills can be stopped and that there are punishments for such actions.”

GADA was pleased with the ruling, describing it as a major win for the organization, the voiceless, the legal system, and as a warning to rapists who think they may avoid punishment.

These views were mirrored by Barrister Asibong Asi, GADA’s Program Officer for Legal, Training, and Justice Sector, who emphasized that the ruling should serve as a warning to those who abuse children.

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