Uproar In Owerri As Woman Alleges Sexual Assault During Church Deliverance, Rights Activists Demand Probe

Tension and outrage have enveloped the Ebikoro community in Umuoba, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State following disturbing allegations of sexual assault levelled against the head pastor of Jesus Pathway Ministry by a young woman.

The allegations gained widespread attention after a popular human rights activist, Mr. Chinonso Uba, popularly known as 'Nonsonkwa', shared an audio recording on his Facebook platform in which the woman recounted her alleged experience during what she described as a church deliverance session.

In the audio, the woman claimed she was taken to the church by her mother after being referred by an elderly man she believed had no knowledge of the church's alleged practices. According to her account, she and some other worshippers were stripped naked inside a private conner as part of the deliverance exercise.

She further alleged that while she was in a vulnerable state during the session, the church leader made unwanted sexual advances toward her. She claimed she resisted attempts to touch her private part before she was allegedly restrained by individuals she described as church workers, after which she alleged that the pastor sexually assaulted her by inserting fingers into her private parts without her consent as well as pressing her nipples up and down.

The woman, who claimed to be a master's degree student, said she was initially confused by the incident and received no explanation from those present after the exercise. She alleged that church attendants ignored her concerns and carried on as though nothing had happened but only turned their face to mind their business.

She also claimed that she was accused of being responsible for her family's misfortunes and was allegedly labelled immoral before being urged to repent. According to her, she challenged the claims by reminding her mother that her lifestyle was well known and questioning why she was suddenly being portrayed as spiritually responsible for their family problems.

The allegations have sparked intense reactions across social media and within the Owerri community, with many residents expressing shock over the claims.

Human rights activist Chinonso Uba, popularly known as 'Nonsonkwa', has publicly condemned the alleged incident and called for a thorough investigation. He urged relevant law enforcement agencies and appropriate authorities to ensure that the allegations are properly investigated and that justice is served in accordance with the law if any wrongdoing is established.