Lawyer Calls for Closure of church in Ebonyi State Over Alleged Child Exorcism Abuse(Video)
Human rights lawyer, Barrister Ikechukwu Obasi, has called for the immediate shutdown of a church in Ebonyi State and the prosecution of a self-styled cleric, Prophet James Nwankpu, over the abuse of a sick child during a “vicious and torturous” religious exorcism in a viral video.
In a viral video seen by SaharaReporters, the incident was said to have occurred in Isohumini Izzi community in Ebonyi State, where the self-styled prophet is seen subjecting the child to degrading and brutal inhuman treatment after allegedly branding the minor a witch… SEE VIDEO WATCH ON X
In the video, supposed church members were seen singing a Christian song as they gathered in an open field while the prophet kept dragging the child, who looked faint and dirty, from one place to another...READ FULL STORY; FROM THE SOURCE.
Obasi said that the child, whose parents allegedly could not afford medical treatment for an illness, was taken to the church for spiritual intervention but was instead exposed to abuse under the guise of deliverance.
“My attention has been drawn to a horrifying case of child abuse that occurred in Isohumini Izzi in Ebonyi under the guise of religious exorcism,” Obasi said.
“The exorcism meted out to the child by the self-styled prophet after reportedly branding the child a witch who did not deserve to live was not only vicious, it was torturous, sheer humiliation, and a grave inhuman treatment.”
Obasi decried how members of the congregation watched and chanted while the child was being brutally abused.
“This is not practice of religion. This is sheer criminality and a fundamental rights violation taken too far,” he added.
The lawyer commended some individuals and authorities for intervening in the matter, including the Ebonyi State Chairman of HURIDE, Sampson Oko Nweke, and Peter Orogwu Chibuike, also known as Baby Oku, whom he said took responsibility for the child’s welfare.
Obasi also confirmed that the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Okafor, has arrested the cleric.
Obasi, however, insisted that arrest alone was insufficient, urging the Nigeria Police Force and child protection agencies to seal off the church and commence criminal prosecution immediately.
“In the light of this, I am calling on the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the CP Hope Okafor and relevant child protection agencies, to immediately move to shut down the operation of James Nwankpu’s Ministry/Church and ensure that he faces prosecution for the vicious exorcism and physical abuse involving a minor,” he said.
“It should not be business as usual where people do atrocious acts and go scot free because they are putting on clerical vests.”
The lawyer further argued that the actions of the cleric violated the child’s constitutional rights as well as provisions of the Child Rights Law of Ebonyi State and the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.
“I therefore request the shutdown of the church and immediate commencement of prosecution of the self-styled Prophet,” Obasi said.
“His conduct violates both the Child Rights to dignity and privacy under both the Constitution of Nigeria and the Child Rights Law of Ebonyi State, as well as a crime punishable under section 210(b) of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act. No religious practice supersedes a child’s right to safety, dignity, and privacy. I urge the police to act swiftly and impartially.”
