Akinmoladun said the case was brought before the magistrate court in Aba on Tuesday without a proper notification to the complainant by the police officer in charge of the case.
A Nigerian man based in the United States of America, Dr. Francis Akinmoladun, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl by one Peculiar Ginika, a Pastor in Liberation Word Assembly Church Aba, Abia State, Southeast Nigeria.
In the petition dated February 6, 2024, and titled, ‘Request to Open a Criminal Investigation and Transfer of Case to High Court’, the petitioner identified the minor who was reportedly raped as his in-law and a native of Akanu Okpulo in the Obi Ngwa Local Government of Abia State where his wife, Mrs. Ugochi hails from.
Akinmoladun said the case was brought before the magistrate court in Aba on Tuesday without a proper notification to the complainant by the police officer in charge of the case.
He, therefore, requested a transfer of the case to the State High Court.
He said, “I am writing this letter to report to you the case of rape, defilement, and assault to a minor by Pastor Peculiar Ginika.
“The father of the minor Mr. Ijeoma Sunday, who is my in-law reported the case to the Rapid Response Squad of the Nigeria Police in Aba North Local Government Area Headquarters in Aba on January 27th, 2024, the case was arraigned in the magistrate court today, February 6th, 2024, without proper notification to the complainant by the Police Officer in charge of the case.
“It has also reached my notice that my In-law has been receiving many threatening calls from Pst Ginika’s associates and friends, requesting him to withdraw the case or face the consequences.
“I request that you please kindly investigate this matter to ensure the safety of Mr. Ijeoma Sunday and his entire family and also, to transfer the case to the State High Court so that a proper judgment with justice can be sustained to heal the serious psychological and emotional scars that Pastor Ginika imposed on the young girl and her entire family.
“In addition, this can serve as a warning to other clerics in the state that nobody is above the law.”
A medical report from the RRS Police Clinic, Aba, signed by the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), Inspector Abojo Augustine and dated February 7, 2024, confirmed a case of defilement and indecent sexual assault.
On January 20, 2024, SaharaReporters reported the arrest of Ginika by the police for the alleged defilement of the minor.
Ginika was subsequently detained at the command headquarters of the Rapid Response Squad of the police.