Ebonyi Cleric Remanded in Prison Over Alleged Sexual Assault, Threats, and Pornography Charges
Story: written by Daniel October 22,2025
A Magistrates’ Court in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, has ordered the remand of Bishop Sam Onyeagoziri Ndubueze, the Spiritual Leader of Champion Cathedral, at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre over allegations of sexual assault and related offences.
The embattled cleric was arraigned before Magistrates’ Court 2 on a four-count charge involving sexual misconduct, threats to life, fraudulent representation, and the circulation of pornographic material — offences punishable under the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2018, as amended in 2024, and other relevant statutes.
According to the charge sheet numbered 547C/2025, Ndubueze was accused of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman (name withheld) in 2021 at Mile 50 Layout, Abakaliki, after allegedly obtaining her consent through deception and intimidation. This violates Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State.
The second count alleged that the cleric threatened the victim with a firearm, instilling fear for her life, contrary to Section 12(1)(a)(b) of the Ebonyi State Internal Security Enforcement Law of 2009.
The third charge accused him of sending pornographic messages via a computer system, a violation of Section 24(2)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as updated in 2024.
In the fourth count, Ndubueze allegedly emotionally and psychologically abused the victim by sharing her nude photographs on social media, an offence under Section 20(1) of the Violence Against Persons Law 2018.
It was further revealed that the victim was allegedly deceived into the relationship after the bishop promised to heal her of sickle cell disease.
Delivering her ruling, the trial magistrate, Mrs. Chima Nkechi Happiness, stated that the court lacked jurisdiction to handle the case. She ordered the transfer of the case file and evidence to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further legal proceedings and directed that the defendant remain in custody at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre.
The case has been adjourned to November 4, 2025, for continuation.
