Ogwu was arrested on Thursday by police operatives, following an alarm raised by concerned residents of the community, which drew the attention of the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.

The suspect, who hails from Imo State, is said to be the pastor and General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church, Awka, but has lived with his wife and children in Anambra for over 30 years.

Ọgwụ, during interrogations, confessed to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, that he “just fingered the girl once” but denied other allegations of penetration as against what the seven-year-old victim said.

On why he defiled the child, the suspect explained, “I was tempted because my wife usually gives excuses that she’s fasting whenever I want to have quality time with her.”

Meanwhile, the seven-year-old victim who narrated her side of the story, told the commissioner that her guardian (the suspect) had carnal knowledge of her three times of which he usually gives her money ranging from N500 to N1,000 after each experience.

She also said that at some point, she was accused by the pastor’s wife of snatching the husband from her, revealing that what prompted her to leave was the beating she got by the suspect’s daughter.