Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested a 50-year-old pastor recognized as Ambros Mark, for allegedly sexually abusing two underage women aged 13 and 14 in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The cleric was arrested on Saturday after an alarm was raised that he defiled the two victims who’re members of his Church.
Police Spokesman in Bayelsa State, DSP Musa Mohammed, who confirmed the arrest to Daily Trust on Wednesday, stated investigation is ongoing on the matter, whereas the accused is in custody.
The suspect is claimed to be the pastor of New Generation Pentecostal Church, positioned behind the Amarata space of Yenagoa.
The 13-year-old woman, who’s one of the victims, hails from Abia State, whereas the 14-year-old is from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Daily Trust gathered that the case got here to mild after the 14-year-old woman reportedly objected to the alleged sexual advances and knowledgeable her father, a police officer hooked up to the Bayelsa State Police Command.
The father subsequently reported the matter to the police division, resulting in the pastor’s arrest.
It was additionally alleged that makes an attempt to resolve the matter via monetary settlement failed after the mother and father of the 13-year-old woman reportedly declined to just accept the association.
The incident has attracted condemnation from ladies’s rights advocates, who’ve known as for an intensive investigation and the safety of the alleged victims.
The Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Bayelsa State chapter, Dr. Boma Tonye Miebai, and the founder of the Do Foundation, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, confirmed the incident and condemned the alleged sexual abuse of the minors.
The Do Foundation expressed shock over the allegations, describing the reported incident as disturbing and emphasising the necessity to shield kids from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Miebai stated FIDA Bayelsa was actively following the case inside its mandate to guard the rights and pursuits of the affected kids.
She known as on the related authorities to conduct a complete investigation and be certain that the matter was prosecuted in accordance with the legislation.
She stated, “We acknowledge the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the matter is diligently prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
According to her, FIDA Bayelsa would proceed to advocate for the security, dignity and confidentiality of the youngsters whereas guaranteeing that they’ve entry to acceptable authorized and psychosocial assist.
She careworn that the rights and finest pursuits of the alleged victims should stay a precedence all through the authorized course of.
Miebai acknowledged, “We reiterate that no religious title or position places anyone above the law. Our children deserve protection, and alleged sexual offences against them must never be concealed or trivialised.”
She reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to making sure that the youngsters’s rights are upheld and that the suitable authorized course of is adopted.
The police are anticipated to analyze the allegations and set up the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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