By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
A 63 year old pastor, identified as Luke Eze, has been charged and placed in custody by an Enugu court after being accused of raping two sisters, aged 16 and 19, during a “deliverance” session at his church. The Enugu State Police Command said the suspect was arrested following a complaint by the victims’ parent.
According to a statement by the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, operatives of the Iwollo Police Division arrested Eze on September 11, 2025. The police said the alleged incident occurred during a deliverance session at the cleric’s church, identified in reports as City of Hope Ministry at Okunito-Amansiodo in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
Police officers said the victims were brought to the church under the guise of spiritual deliverance, after which the suspect allegedly administered a substance that rendered the victims unconscious before the assaults. The statement added that the victims regained consciousness the following day and reported physical injuries. The police further said they recovered two plastic bottles containing an unidentified substance from the scene for forensic analysis.
Eze was brought before the court, where he was formally charged and sent to the Nigerian Correctional Service facility to await further investigation and possible trial. According to the police, the case is being handled by the Gender and Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department.
The Enugu State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the case to a logical conclusion, assuring the public that all forensic findings and investigative procedures will be thoroughly followed to ensure justice is served.
