In a disturbing case, Rev. Fr. Nwaigwe Stephen, a Catholic Priest in Anambra state, has been remanded for allegedly raping and impregnating a teenager. The Awka Chief Magistrates’ Court, also known as the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Anambra State, ordered the priest’s remand in prison until December 6, 2023.
The priest is accused of forcefully taking the pregnant minor to Benin City, Edo State, where she delivered her baby. However, the police investigation revealed that the whereabouts of the baby remain unknown. The offense of having sexual intercourse with a minor is punishable under section 34(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004.
Rev. Fr. Nwaigwe was among the priests expelled by the “Two Hearts of Love Congregation” (Ugwu Nso) in 2018 for alleged misconduct detrimental to the order’s image.
The minor, speaking during the remand proceedings, recounted that the priest took her from her parents when she was 14, promising to sponsor her education while she served as his cook. She stated that the sexual abuse began shortly after moving into the priest’s house and continued until she became pregnant at 17.
When she informed the priest about her pregnancy, he allegedly took her to Benin City, where she was told the baby had died, and efforts to see the deceased baby were unsuccessful.
During the court proceedings, the defense counsel applied for bail, citing relevant legal provisions. The police prosecutor opposed bail, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense against a minor under the spiritual guardianship of the defendant.
The Chief Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe, ruled against bail, considering the gravity of the offense punishable with life imprisonment. She expressed concern about the increasing cases of rape against minors in society and adjourned the case to December 6, 2023.
