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An Awka Chief Magistrates’ Court, designated as the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court, has remanded Rev. Fr. Nwaigwe Stephen, a Catholic Priest in Anambra state, on charges of allegedly raping and impregnating a teenager.

The court ordered the priest's remand in prison until December 6, 2023.

The accused is further charged with forcefully taking the pregnant minor to Benin City, Edo State, where she gave birth. However, an investigation by the police revealed that the whereabouts of the baby are still unknown.

The alleged offence falls under section 34(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004, according to the police.

During the remand proceedings on Monday, November 20, 2023, the victim, while answering questions in court, disclosed that the priest took her from her parents when she was 14 years old, promising to sponsor her education while she served as his cook.

She stated that shortly after moving into the priest’s house, he began sexually assaulting her, a situation that persisted until she became pregnant at the age of 17.

The minor further mentioned that when she informed the priest about her pregnancy, he took her from Ihiala, Anambra State, to Benin City, Edo, claiming to visit a man and woman introduced as his brother and brother’s wife.

“When I gave birth to my baby at a native birth attendant’s house in Benin City, I was told that the baby died. Efforts to see the dead baby were futile as they claimed the baby had been buried.”

Responding to the court's inquiry about previous instances of assault, the minor clarified, “While on our way to Benin City, the father told me to say that I was gang-raped. However, I have never been raped before, except the instances he (the father) subjected me to in his house.”

During the remand proceedings, the Police prosecutor argued that there was probable cause to order the priest's remand, and witnesses were bound over to appear before the High Court whenever the case would be mentioned.

Addressing a bail application, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe, emphasized that the case involved an offense punishable with life imprisonment. She expressed regret that cases of rape against minors were becoming rampant in society and warned that the court would not stand idly by while such offenses persisted.

The case has been adjourned to December 6, 2023.