A magistrate court in Makurdi, Benue State, has ordered that a 34-year-old pastor, Kelvin Imo, be held at the Makurdi Correctional Centre for allegedly sexually assaulting a church member.

Pastor Imo, who lives at No. 5, Gboko Road, Makurdi, was formally charged with rape.

The chief magistrate, Kevin Mbanongun, however, did not record his plea because the court claimed it did not have the authority to handle the case.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for 8 October for further mention of the case.

The prosecutor, Inspector Friday Kanshio, told the court that the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Makurdi received a complaint from the alleged victim on 2 September.

According to the complaint, the victim went to a branch of Living Faith Church opposite Coca-Cola Camp on Km 5, Gboko Road, Makurdi, on 22 April to meet Pastor Imo for prayer and counselling.

The complainant stated that after the pastor prayed for her, he wiped her face with a handkerchief, which made her feel weak.

She alleged that the pastor then took advantage of her weakened state and forced her to have sexual intercourse without her consent, inside the church.

Inspector Kanshio added that Pastor Imo was arrested to allow the police to investigate the allegation further.

He also said that the pastor’s alleged actions violate Section 284 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue State, 2004.