The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged its full commitment to securing justice for a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by a cleric in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The suspect, Pastor Amos Isah—founder and lead pastor of the Prophetic Victory Voice of Fire Ministry—is currently in police custody following allegations that he lured the teenage girl into his office on May 26 and raped her.
The victim, a Senior Secondary School II student and a member of the church’s media unit, reported that the assault caused her to bleed profusely.
She claimed the pastor gave her ₦3,000 and threatened to kill her if she spoke to anyone about the incident.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Mandate Secretary of The Federal Capital Territory Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, assured that the administration would see the case through to a logical and just conclusion.
Reiterating FCTA’s zero tolerance for sexual abuse and child rights violations, Benjamins-Laniyi stated:
“Our stance aligns with Section 1 of the Child Rights Act, 2003. The FCT will not shelter or protect paedophiles, no matter who they are. Justice will be pursued whenever the rights of our children are trampled.”
She revealed that the Secretariat is actively engaging with key stakeholders, including the Presidents of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), FCT chapter.
She has also met with the Director of Public Prosecution and Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Gender, Rita Emesim, to facilitate the legal process.
In addition, the Director of the Child Department in the Women’s Affairs Secretariat has visited the victim’s family to express support and affirm the government’s resolve to ensure justice.
“This is a priority case for us, especially given the vulnerability of adolescent girls at this stage in their development,” Benjamins-Laniyi said. “We will follow it through to the end. No one will be shielded.”
She also issued a warning against the unlawful circulation of the survivor’s image online, condemning it as cyberbullying.
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She specifically named social media influencer Isaiah Gbangbala, calling on him to immediately remove the victim’s photo from his Facebook page, where it was allegedly used to discredit her.
“The girl and her parents are already traumatised,” she said. “These negative campaigns on social media are worsening their emotional and mental wellbeing.”
Benjamins-Laniyi disclosed that the survivor is currently facing serious health complications as a result of the incident.
“She had to be withdrawn from school and rushed to a hospital after suffering severe pain and continuous bleeding,” she added.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rita Emesim confirmed that the suspect would likely be charged to court by Thursday.
She dismissed speculation that the police were planning to release him without trial.
“This is a rape case, and rape is a federal offence,” Emesim explained. “It cannot be tried in a Magistrate Court. It must go to a Federal High Court. And this is not just about charging a case—it’s about building it properly to secure a conviction.”
She emphasized that due process is being followed without prejudice and assured that if the accused is found guilty, he will face the full weight of the law.
Pastor Isah was arrested following a formal petition filed by the victim and her parents.
