Ondo Pastor arrested for allegedly impregnating disabled Teenager

A pastor in Ondo State, Peter James, has been arrested for allegedly impregnating a teenage girl living with a disability in the Odigbo Local Government Area.

James, who oversees Christ Apostolic Church, Modebiayo Parish in Oke-Gburowo, was taken into custody by security operatives on Wednesday and brought before the community’s traditional ruler, Oba Oloja Moses Ogunmoyewa.

According to a source close to the victim’s family, the pastor reportedly admitted to being responsible for the pregnancy while being interrogated at the monarch’s palace.

The confession was said to have been documented by the traditional ruler and his subjects.

The girl’s mother, Mrs. Victoria Bernard, claimed the pastor initially denied involvement in the pregnancy, citing the girl’s disability as the reason. She has now appealed to the government, human rights organisations, and members of the public to intervene and ensure justice prevails, expressing fears that the pastor might attempt to use his influence to bury the matter.

The situation escalated after the pastor’s denial, prompting the involvement of the Amotekun Corps in Ore, who have since begun investigations.

It was also gathered that the church’s zonal leadership attempted to mediate and convince the cleric to take responsibility, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Confirming the development, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the suspect had been invited for questioning.

He assured the public that the police would thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure justice is served, adding that the case