Police arraigns pastor for alleged rape of three school pupils in Abuja

A pastor, Emmanuel Mathew, 50, appeared before an FCT High Court for allegedly raping three pupils in a school at Mpape, Abuja.

Mathew, who is the pastor and General Overseer of The Choice Bible Church, Mpape, and proprietor of the primary school where his victims attended, was arraigned on a five-count charge.

The Prosecutor, DSP. Stanley Nwodo, told the court that the accused raped two seven-year-old and a nine-year-old pupils on different occasions in his school.

Nwodo said the offence contravened Section 283 of the Penal Code, which if convicted attracts 14 years imprisonment, an option of fine or both.

Mathew pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After arraignment, the Counsel to the accused, Mr Uya Yamah, urged the court to admit his client to bail.

The prosecutor did not oppose the application because the accused had been on administrative bail.

In his ruling, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N500, 000 and a surety in like sum.

Baba-Yusuf ordered that the surety must be resident within the FCT and must produce proof of ownership of a landed property.

He also ordered that if the accused failed to meet up the bail conditions, he should be remanded in prison custody.

He adjourned the case to Jan. 21, 2014, for hearing. (NAN)