Pregnant
Woman Contracts HIV After ‘Holy Bite’ By Pastor During Deliverance
A
23-year-old pastor of a Pentecostal church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
Kingsley Ihunda, has been arraigned by a chief magistrates’ court for allegedly
biting an expectant mother, Ejiro Abua (not real name), on the waist during
deliverance and infecting her with HIV.
The incident
allegedly occurred at Ada-George, Diobu in Port Harcourt Local Government, on
July 27.
Mrs. Abua, a
mother of one, who had reportedly lost two pregnancies, was allegedly directed
to the pastor by Treasure Victor, 40, a female herbalist, for special prayers.
As with
previous ones, she was said to be having problems with the pregnancy.
The
complainant alleged that besides losing the pregnancy, she was allegedly
infected with HIV, following the “holy bite.”
She told the
court at the weekend that she consulted the herbalist for assistance to stop
the hotness of her womb, which she suspected to be the cause of her miscarriages,
but instead of helping her, she directed her to Pastor Ihunda, who she said
worked with her.
The
complainant said the pastor allegedly asked her to pay N1,500 for olive oil for
prayer.
She went on:
“When I objected to paying the money, he told me that if I refused to pay, my
husband and child would die. The woman (herbalist), supported him and
encouraged me to pay the money. She said she had brought other expectant
mothers, who had the same problem, to the pastor, and after payment and prayers,
their problems were solved.
“When I
heard this, I decided to pay and come for prayers. During prayers, he asked me
to raise my clothes, I refused, but the herbalist encouraged me to comply. He
rubbed oil on my waist, bit me, sucked my blood and spat it out, claiming that
was the cause of my problem and it had been solved.”
The woman
alleged that a few months later, she tested positive for HIV, but her husband
tested negative, adding that it was discovered the pastor infected her.
The pastor
and herbalist were charged with conspiracy, assault and pretence.
The
prosecutor, Jonas Rufus, told the court that the crime was committed on July 27
at Ada George, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
He said the
offences breached sections 516(A), 351, 335 and 343(g) of the Criminal Code Cap
37 Volume II Laws of Rivers State Nigeria 1999.
The accused
pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail.
The matter
was adjourned till last Friday for hearing.
At the
sitting, the victim opened her case and told the court her side of the story.
The matter
was adjourned till today for further hearing.
Source: Information
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