The General Overseer of ‘Jesus Is Ontop Ministry’, Amichi, in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Evangelist Dozie Ezani, is now in police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for alleged serial raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl in the Amichi area of the state.
It was gathered that the suspect was arrested at his poultry farm in Igboukwu, Aguata LGA of the state by operatives of the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad, after a credible intelligence gathering and monitoring of his activities.
The Spokesperson for SASA, Karen James, after a cross-examination of the victim at SASA’s headquarters in Onitsha, on Friday, told journalists that the suspect was in the habit of raping the girl in his house and at his church located in Amichi and also at his poultry farm in the neighbouring Igboukwu community.
James said following the arrest of the suspect, he was immediately transferred to the state CID, where further interrogations and investigations are ongoing.
She said, “A security personnel from Igboukwu, where the latest incident occurred, brought in the report of the rape. The security personnel have been observing the suspicious movements of the pastor and the young girl before bringing the report to SASA’s attention.
“On receiving the report, and after due diligence gathering, SASA operatives stormed the church at Igboukwu, on Monday, to arrest the suspect, where he and the victim were brought to the SASA’s office. The suspect was immediately handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for further investigation.
“During interrogation, the victim said she was formerly residing in Lagos, but her aunt brought her back and handed her over to the pastor for ‘special deliverance’, before the suspect started forcefully having sexual intercourse with her, leading to suspected pregnancy.”
According to the SASA spokesperson, the victim is set to undergo a medical examination to ascertain the true state of her condition and the extent of “damages” done to her, adding that the operatives are tracking the aunt, who is said to be on the run.
Speaking to journalists at the SASA’s headquarters in Onitsha, the victim, who gave her name as Precious Okafor, from Amichi, said the pastor started forcefully having sexual intercourse with her as far back as November 2025, immediately she arrived at his house for the “special deliverance.”
The victim said she was repeatedly abused by the pastor at his church, farm, and residence before being rescued. She added that she is uncertain about her pregnancy and has been experiencing health complications after consuming substances the pastor gave her. She appealed to the state government, NGOs, and well-meaning individuals for medical assistance, expressing gratitude to SASA operatives for their intervention.
During a video interrogation, Ezani admitted to sexual activity with the girl but attributed it to “the devil’s handiwork.”
He said the substances he gave the girl were intended to address the suspected pregnancy and offered to cover her medical expenses if released.
SASA Head, Monday Nwokoye, confirmed the suspect remains in SCID custody while investigations continue. He urged communities to report suspicious activities, saying, “The state frowns at such acts, and perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
As of the time of filing this report, the police had yet to issue a formal statement on the arrest, but SASA said it had handed over the suspect to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
