A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has pronounced a death sentence by hanging on Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor, the General Overseer of the Altar of Solution and Healing Assembly based in Oyigbo, Rivers State.
The pastor was found guilty of the murder of his choir mistress, Orlunma Nwagba, whom he allegedly impregnated.
The case against Okoroafor also involved the murder charges for the killings of Nwagba’s friend, Chigozie Ezenwa, and her eleven-month-old daughter, Cresabel. The tragic incident occurred on December 11, 2017, in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
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In the courtroom, the trial judge, S.O. Benson, carefully evaluated the evidence and confessional statements presented, concluding that the pastor had indeed committed the crimes. Justice Benson declared that the prosecution successfully proved the murder case against the cleric.
Consequently, the judge ordered the pastor to be sentenced to death by either hanging him by the neck until he is dead or by lethal injection, which induces a faster death.
According to our correspondent, the women had visited Okoroafor’s residence in Oyigbo for a discussion regarding the alleged pregnancy. Tragically, the pastor deceitfully led them into a bush where the acts were committed in two different locations.
Following an alarm raised by Ezenwa’s husband over the killings, the Rivers State Police Command promptly arrested Okoroafor on December 17, 2017.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Precious Ordu, the prosecution counsel from the state Ministry of Justice, expressed satisfaction with the judgment. Ordu mentioned that the prosecution had encountered several threats throughout the trial but was pleased that justice had prevailed.
“This verdict serves justice to the state, the complainant, and the convict. It will serve as a deterrent to anyone contemplating committing similar offenses because justice is served for all,” Ordu stated.
In response, Innocent Ekwu, the defence counsel for the defendant, announced their intention to appeal the judgment.
“As the defense counsel, we have made the decision to appeal the case. We will promptly file our notice of appeal because we firmly believe that the defendant is innocent of the charges,” Ekwu said.
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