Rufus Olatunji, a pastor with the Royal World Embassy Church, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ court in Lagos State, for allegedly defiling and impregnating a 14-year-old member.
The 45-year-old cleric is facing a two-count charge of unlawful sexual intercourse and procuring an abortion.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Kehinde Olatunde narrated to the court that the defendant committed the offences in August 2021, at Royal World Embassy Church, Ipaja.
Olatunde alleged that the defendant had sexual intercourse with the girl in the Church’s store, NAN reports.
He added that he gave the girl a drug to terminate the pregnancy when the defendant found out.
The victim’s parents reported the case to the police and the defendant was arrested.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 137 and 145(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In ruling, Chief Magistrate, Mrs F.M. Kayode, who refused to take Olatunji’s plea, ordered that he be remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
Kayode then adjourned the case to March 8 for mention.
