Drama as a popular Bishop sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a little girl
Abuja-based Bishop Kenneth Duke has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a 12-year-old girl, a member of his church.
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The Federal Capital Territory High Court delivered the ruling, presided over by Justice Adebiyi Osolo, who also denied the bishop the option of paying a fine.
The conviction follows an investigation by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), which revealed that the victim previously lived in Lagos before being brought to Abuja to live with her mother.
On March 5, 2023, after a church service, the girl was handed over to the Bishop and his family, allegedly to learn a trade. However, while he was alone with her the following day, Kenneth Duke committed the criminal act.
In the judgment, he was found guilty of one count of rape and sentenced without the possibility of a fine. NAPTIP Director-General Binta Bello expressed gratitude to the judiciary for the decision, stressing that it would serve as a deterrent against other similar violations.
The case highlights the continuing challenges of sexual violence in Nigeria and the need for rigorous justice to protect children and vulnerable victims.
The bishop’s conviction is seen as a step towards greater accountability within religious institutions and a firm response to sexual abuse.
