A High Court sitting in the Warri Judicial Division has discharged and acquitted the Senior Pastor and Founder of Victory Revival Fasting and Prayers, Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe, of drugging and raping one, Miracle Omalor.
Bishop Orhonigbe was discharged and acquitted on November 22, 2022, for want of evidence by the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Anthony Akpovi of the Warri High Court 2, in suit between the State and the clergyman.
Bishop Orhonigbe was arrested in 2020 by operatives of the Delta State Police Command following the accusation of alleged rape of 19-year-old Omalor and was remanded by the order of a Magistrate Court.
Justice Akpovi of the High Court sitting in Warri later granted the cleric bail, ordering the cleric to provide two sureties, who each paid N1m as part of the requirements for his bail.
The police later slammed the bishop with an additional charge of alleged administering of substance, and impersonation.
Hon. Justice Akpovi of the Warri High Court, where the case was tried, however, quashed the case and discharged the bishop for want of proof from the Nigeria Police, Delta State Police Command, who arrested and charged him to court after much media trial.
Speaking with newsmen in Warri on behalf of Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe, his Counsel, Mr. Olukoya Ayodele said, the whole episode was a set up by enemies of the cleric.
For his part, Bishop Orhonigbe, thanked God for vindicating him saying he had prepared to go to jail if truly he was found guilty.
He said he was a victim of envy and conspiracy by those who wanted to render desolate his God-given ministry with an allegation that he raped a girl who was openly prayed for in broad daylight in the church auditorium.
Bishop Orhonigbe, however, said his lawyers would consider his next action whether to sue the police and their accomplices including a lawyer and his former driver, who had falsely accused him, after the receipt of the court’s certified judgement.
– Culled from Tribune
