The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested Bishop Ndibueze Okorie Onyeagoziri, General Overseer of Champion the Truth Cathedral, for allegedly having repeated sex with a 22-year-old female church member.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the arrest on Thursday.
“Yes, the bishop is with us here at the police headquarters, Abakaliki. I don’t have any other information as the case is under investigation. On Wednesday, October 1, he was arrested by our men and brought to the state police command over the act,” Ukandu said.
In a viral video, the young woman, who is a sickle cell patient, explained that she began living in the church after her family and the bishop agreed she could receive healing through prayers.
She alleged that the cleric later convinced her that seven days of sexual intercourse with him would change her genotype from SS to AA.
“Because of my desperation to survive the sickness that had already taken the lives of my three other siblings, I gave in to the option,” she said.
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The victim added that her health worsened after the experience. According to her, when she tried to leave, the bishop threatened to release intimate pictures of their encounter. She said her nude photos later appeared on social media.
Her elder sister eventually stepped in and took her back to their village.
Meanwhile, Bishop Onyeagoziri denied the allegations. He claimed his phone was stolen earlier this month and that his enemies used artificial intelligence to create fake nude photos.
“My phone was stolen, and after all efforts by those in possession of the phone to extort me failed, they resorted to denting my image. Those pictures you see are doctored. They aren’t real,” he said.
The police said investigations are still ongoing.