An Edo State High Court has ordered the remand of Pastor Simeon Okehielem (38) of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry in a correctional center for allegedly raping a married woman (name withheld).

The pastor was also accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation.

He allegedly committed the offense in 2022 in the Uholor community of Benin City, where he reportedly drugged and raped the woman, leading to the birth of a child.

Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.

The state prosecutor, P.O. Odion, told the court that the alleged offense was committed in February 2022.

He was arraigned on a two-count charge of rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.

The prosecutor informed the court that the offenses are punishable under Section 4 and Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021, and under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.

He prayed the court to remand the defendant in the correctional center pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, remanded the defendant in the correctional center for 14 days, pending legal advice from the DPP.