A Cleric and General Overseer of Refiners Fire Global Assembly, Pastor Favour Maxy Okoise, will be spending the rest of his life in prison custody for defiling a 16-year old girl under purported sex deliverance for spiritual powers in Cross River State.
DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS reports that it was the judgment of the Family Court presided over by His Justice Blessing Egwu Obin, who found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly.
The incident happened between November and December 2016, at Goldie Street, Calabar South Local Government Area of the State.
The Church Founder was said to have taken advantage of the minor, who he tagged as a spiritual daughter and defiled her severally.
The matter was prosecuted by the Ministry of Justice with Gender and Development Action (GADA) as nominal parties as represented by Barrister Doris Nduanusi.
The victim came into Calabar in August 2016 for her Post UTME examination and lived with her elder sister, where the convict visited frequently to share spiritual knowledge.
According to the victim, the convict harassed her sexually and touched her sensitive parts on several occasions.
She said that after numerous attempts to have intercourse with her proved abortive, the convict indoctrinated her that “God needed her body as much as her spirit and soul”.
The Church Overseer lured her by telling her that he could transfer spiritual virtues to her through sexual intercourse.
He succeeded in coercing her against her will and had intercourse with her, brainwashing her to be her “spiritual father,” helping to render service to God.
The presiding judge, Justice Blessing Egwu, while delivering judgment noted that Obin stated that after cross-examination, exhibits and facts presented before her, declared that “the defendant had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim as a minor”.
Justice Egwu, citing the Cross River State Child Rights Law, 2023, stated “accordingly, Favour Maxy Okoise has been sentenced to life Imprisonment and a compensation of one million Naira to the survivor, this is the judgement of this court.”
There has been several reactions over the judgment.
The Lawyer for GADA, Barrister Doris Nduanusi, who watched brief on the matter from the initiation of the trial till judgement, applauded the Court, the judgement and GADA for being instrumental in the matter saying “we need more activists, we need more voices to be heard to let the society know that these kinds of ills that are happening can be stopped and there are punishments for such actions”.
Barr. Nduanusi, while expressing satisfaction with the judgement, stated that it was a big win for GADA and those without a voice, victory for the judiciary and while serving as a deterrent to potential rapists.
The Programme Officer, Legal, Training and Justice Sector of GADA, Barrister Asibong Asi, echoed that the ruling sends a strong warning to perpetrators of rape and the judgment, citing the provision of the Cross River State Child Rights Law 2023, that children cannot consent to sexual acts.
“This judgement will serve as a warning to those who abuse minors.” she said.
GADA is currently implementing a project titled “Reducing Gender-Based Violence in Cross River State”.
Given that the perpetrator was leading a fellowship comprising of UNICAL students, making the project relevant.
Barr. Asibong noted that Campus Square, an initiative under the project, aims to provide a platform for students to share their experiences and speak out against incidents of gender-based violence.
She stated that the forum will focus on promoting male responsibility, challenging harmful gender norms, and leveraging positive religious texts to advocate for non-violent behaviour and gender equity.
