A grandmother, Mrs. Otabor, has reportedly fled her residence following an illegal abortion performed on her 15-year-old granddaughter by a local healthcare worker.
The incident took place in the Upper Uwa quarter of Benin City, Edo State, specifically on Ogiemwenken Street. The teenager, who is the stepdaughter of Mrs. Otabor, was allegedly raped and impregnated by a self-styled Prophet.
Despite his wife’s disappearance, Mr. Jeremiah Otabor, the woman’s husband, has vowed to fully support the legal proceedings against the 70-year-old suspect, Prophet Paul Lawani, who has since been detained by the police.
Lawani stands accused of sexually assaulting and impregnating the young girl in his church back in August 2024.
The victim recounted her traumatic experience, revealing that after running an errand for the Prophet, she was sexually abused inside the church. She was then coerced into swearing an oath of silence at the altar, with threats of death if she disclosed the abuse.
Eventually, the girl confided in her grandmother, who noticed signs indicating pregnancy.
In response, the grandmother sought the help of a local nurse who conducted a pregnancy test, confirming the girl was two months pregnant. The nurse then performed an abortion to hide the crime.
Disturbed by her grandmother’s attempt to cover up the situation, the victim later confided in a neighbor, who promptly alerted the authorities, leading to the arrest of Prophet Lawani.
Upon his arrest, Lawani acknowledged knowing the girl but declined to provide details about the alleged assault that took place at his church on Iyeide Street, Benin City.
The victim described the ordeal, stating, “When I arrived at his church office, he forced me to remove my underwear. I screamed, but no one came, and he proceeded to assault me.”
She further added, “He made me swear at the altar that I would die if I told anyone what happened. Later, my mother called me and brought a nurse who confirmed I was two months pregnant.”
The victim’s grandfather expressed awareness of the situation, labeling Lawani a criminal but expressing reluctance to escalate the matter.
Confirming the arrest, CSP Moses Yamu, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, stated that the suspect is in custody and that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full details of the case.
“The case has been reported to us, and our Family Unit is actively investigating. We will update the public once the inquiry is complete,” CSP Yamu assured.
