The founder and general overseer of Day Spring Family Chapel, Egbeda area, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Pastor Isaiah Ojo has been accused of defiling a 7-year-old girl in his church.
The incident happened on May 9 and the little girl, simply identified as Bidemi, as at May 13, was bleeding profusely.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, the 62-year-old cleric allegedly took Bidemi, his friend and fellow pastor’s daughter to the alter of the church, allegedly laid her therein and had carnal knowledge of her.
Bidemi was said to be playing in the church premises with her younger brother when the pastor allegedly ‘cornered’ her.
Confirming the report on Friday, the state police spokesperson, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID for further investigation.
Ajisebutu said the girl’s vagina was badly torn by forced penetration that she had been bleeding since the occurrence.
On his part, Ojo said “The little girl and her younger brother used to come to me to play in the church premises. Her father is a close friend of mine.
“On Monday May 9, I was in my church premises when she came with her brother. The girl went to lay on the rug on the altar and told her brother that her private part was itching. They used to play on the rug before then.
“I went near them to ask what was wrong with her. I had to use my hand to help her scratch her private part.
“After that, I moved nearer, I could not do anything with her; I did not insert my penis in her vagina.
“What happened next was that I brought my penis out but I could not penetrate her because her vagina was tight.
“My intention was to touch her, not to damage her. When I saw that her vagina was very tight, I withdrew my penis and left.
“There was no blood at that time. I don’t know how blood came out of her,” the pastor reportedly stammered.
When asked when last he had sex with his wife, he said six months ago, adding that it was for health reasons.
He, however, denied having sex with the girl for ritual purpose as alleged, saying she was young enough to be his granddaughter.
