By CHARLES IWUOHA

A Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Tuesday ordered the remand of the embattled cleric, Bishop Sam Onyeagoziri Ndubueze, Spiritual head of Champion Cathedral, in the Abakaliki Correctional Centre over alleged involvement in a sex assault.

It was gathered that the cleric was accused of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a female (name withheld) in the state.

Ndubueze was arraigned before Magistrate Court 2, Abakaliki, on a four-count charge bordering on threats, false and fraudulent representation, and circulation of pornographic materials – offences punishable under various provisions of the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2018, and other related laws as amended in 2024.

Ruling on the matter, the trial magistrate, Mrs. Chima Nkechi Happiness, ordered that the accused be remanded at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre, noting that the magistrate court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case.

She further directed that the original case file, evidences, and all relevant documents be transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further legal action.

According to the charge sheet numbered 547C/2025, the accused was alleged to have, sometime in 2021 at Mile 50 Layout, Abakaliki, “had unlawful carnal knowledge of one female (name withheld) after obtaining her consent through threats and false representation,” an offence punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33 Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria.

The second count alleged that the cleric threatened the victim’s life with a gun, causing her extreme fear, contrary to Section 12(1)(a)(b) of the Ebonyi State Internal Security Enforcement and Related Matters Law 2009.

Count three stated that Ndubueze “knowingly sent pornographic messages by means of a computer system,” contrary to Section 24(2)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 as amended in 2024.

In count four, he was accused of emotionally and psychologically abusing the victim by circulating her nude photographs on social media, an act punishable under Section 20(1) of the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2018.

It was gathered that the victim was allegedly lured into the act after the cleric promised to heal her of sickle cell disease.

The trial magistrate thereafter adjourned the matter to November 4, 2025, for further hearing.