Evangelist Arrested for Allegedly Impregnating Minor in Anambra

Police in Anambra State have apprehended an evangelist and General Overseer of a Pentecostal Church, Favour Ezani, on accusations of impregnating a 16-year- old girl who was brought to him for prayers and healing at his residence in Nnewi.

Reports indicate that the victim, identified as Miss Precious Okafor, was taken to the self-proclaimed man of God in Amichi community for spiritual healing. The evangelist was arrested by officials from the Special Anti-Tout Squad (SASA), a state government security unit.

Evang Favour Ezani confessed to the allegations and reportedly admitted to using a concoction of bitter leaf and other herbs to induce an abortion to prevent public embarrassment.

He has reportedly asked the security forces for leniency, offering to cover the girl’s medical expenses if he is released.

According to Karen James, a spokesperson for the security agency, the complaint was made by a security officer from Igboukwu, a neighboring community, indicating that the girl was entrusted to the evangelist by her aunt for special deliverance.

It was revealed that the aunt discovered the girl was pregnant, and upon questioning, the girl implicated the evangelist, who is now in police custody.

The victim recounted her experience, stating that the abuse began in November 2025 after her aunt referred her to the evangelist for spiritual assistance.

She claims that the suspect threatened her with violence to keep her silent about the sexual abuse.

"Daddy Ezani began coercively having sexual intercourse with me shortly after I arrived for the special deliverance. I was sent to him by my aunt without my mother's consent, who lives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. My aunt consulted Daddy Ezani due to my behavior after returning to the village from Lagos, and he claimed I needed urgent deliverance from God," she explained.

"He has violated me multiple times inside his church, farm, and home until I was eventually rescued. I don’t have a father, and my mother lives in Port Harcourt. I am from Amichi and desperately need help. I am bleeding as a result of the concoctions Daddy Ezani made me drink to terminate the pregnancy, and I cannot afford hospital care," she added.