A woman (names witheld) has alleged that she was sexually assaulted during a purported deliverance session at a church in Umuoba Uratta, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State.
The woman, who is reportedly pursuing a master’s degree at a university, made the allegation in an audio recording circulated by broadcaster and activist Chinonso Theodore Uba. She claimed that she had visited the church with her mother but was later taken to a separate room, where the female bishop and six other women allegedly stripped her and subjected her to sexual abuse.
According to her account, the women allegedly fondled her breasts and fingered her vagina, while the bishop reportedly poured an unidentified substance into her private parts in an alleged attempt to drive out an evil spirit. She said she resisted the alleged assault and tried to free herself but was overpowered by the women.
The woman further alleged that her mother initially did not believe her account after the session, claiming that the bishop had convinced her that an evil spirit had been expelled from her daughter. She said the bishop also allegedly told her mother that the spirit had been responsible for her daughter’s difficulties and could have compelled her to harm her.
Uba, popularly known as Nonsonkwa, urged members of the public to exercise caution when choosing places of worship and questioned practices allegedly carried out in the name of deliverance. The allegations, including the identity of the church and its leader, have not been independently verified, and the names of the alleged victim and church have been withheld.
