Founder of Liberty International Gospel Centre, Yola in Adamawa, Pastor Ebenezer Otueke Otinjele who was arrested by the police along side a female Pastor and house wife, Juliana Ezra for adultery, abortion and threat to life of the husband but pleaded for out of court settlement, has finally been arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court II for breaching the terms of agreement.
The husband to the female pastor (names withheld) had through his Counsel, Sule J. Abul, petitioned the Commissioner of Police in charge of Adamawa State on 7th January, 2021, accusing Pastor Ebenezar of infidelity with his wife which resulted to bearing of two children.
Both the pastor and the wife were promptly arrested and detained on the 12th January, 2021, but before they could be charged to court by the police, top officials of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship (PFN) friends and the accused persons pleaded for out of court settlement.
The embattled Business Manager of Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YERD) was there and then handed over the two children he bore with his pastor mistress with an undertaking that he will pay compensation and damages to the tune of #7million to the husband in two instalments effective from February ending, but however appeared before Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in default of the agreement.
But due failure to honour the agreement, the Pastor and the house wife who is also the staff of YERD were on Monday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court II Yola, presided by Ibrahim Ulenda, over allegations of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, adultery, causing abortion and criminal intimidation contrary to sections 60, 333, 374, 203, and 383 (b) of the state penal code law.
The prosecution informed the court that Pastor Ebenezer had enticed Juliana where he followed her to her matrimonial home located at the Mbamba in Yola South LGA and indulged in several acts of illicit sexual inter course, caused her to abort pregnancy and laid claim of a daughter.
While continuing in these acts of sexual immortality, according to the content of the First Information Report, the Business Manager threatened to eliminate the husband and his love bride if she eventually expose their secret act.
It alleged that the husband of Juliana and staff of the Federal Ministry of Power lost one of his male child when the duo travelled out and abandoned the deceased with other little children for their sexual escapades in Jalingo, Taraba state.
NEWS PLATFORM reliably learnt that the pastor had facilitated the transfer of Juliana where she was posted directly under him, thereby indulging in extra marital affair for more than 5 years which led to the conception and bearing of 2 children with one other pregnancy aborted.
Earlier, when the charge sheet was read to the defendants as prayed by the prosecutor, Inspector Iliya Akawu upon their arraignment, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Thereafter, Counsels to Juliana and Ebenezer, G. C. Adiku and M. M. Rolland pleaded with the court to grant them bail on most liberal terms, saying their clients will not jump bail or interfere into the ongoing investigation into the matter.
Rolland told the court that his client, Pastor Ebenezer is a responsible staff of Yola Electricity Distribution Company, and he will always appear in court until the determination of the matter.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ibrahim Ulenda, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N300,000, each with one surety each who must be within the jurisdiction of the court and not below grade level 15 with either the State or Federal Government and must deposit title documents of a house, and further warned that the court will revoke the bail of any defendant who attempts to jeopardise with investigation.
Magistrate Ibrahim Ulenda, however adjourned the matter to 5th March, 2021 to enable the police complete its investigation and for possible commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, investigation by NEWS PLATFORM revealed that already the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in the state has suspended the pastor and sealed his church as measures to forestall future occurrence, save the integrity of the association and serve as deterrent to others.
NEWS PLATFORM who visited the premises of the church, saw the church under lock and key and was informed that nobody worships in the church anymore.
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