Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
A Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of a cleric, Sam Onyeagoziri Ndubueze, founder of Champion Cathedral, at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre over alleged unlawful carnal knowledge, threats, fraud, and circulation of pornographic materials.
The accused was arraigned by the Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Uche Anya, who is listed as the complainant in the four-count charge sheet. Mrs. Anya personally brought the accused before the court.
According to the charge sheet, numbered 547c/2025, the offences border on threats, falsehood, fraud, and the dissemination of pornographic images—acts punishable under various provisions of the Criminal Code, Cybercrimes Act, and the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2018 (as amended in 2024).
The Police alleged that Mr. Ndubueze, sometime in 2021, unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a female (name withheld) at Mile 50 Layout, Abakaliki, after obtaining her consent through threats and fraudulent representations—an offence punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33 Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State.
He was further accused of threatening the victim’s life with a gun, contrary to Section 12(1)(a)(b) of the Ebonyi State Internal Security Enforcement and Related Matters Law, 2009.
Additionally, the Police alleged that the cleric sent pornographic messages via computer systems, in violation of Section 24(2)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
He was also accused of emotionally and psychologically abusing the victim by circulating her nude photographs on social media, contrary to Section 20(1) of the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2018 (as amended in 2024).
After the charges were read, the Presiding Magistrate, Chima Nkechi Happiness, of Court 2, Abakaliki, ordered the remand of the accused cleric, noting that the offences were beyond the jurisdiction of the Magistrate Court.
She further directed that the original case file, evidence, and all related documents be transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further legal action.
