Choirmaster Sentenced to 25 Years for Rape in Anambra

The Anambra State High Court 2 in Ogidi has sentenced James Onuorah to 25 years in prison for raping a 16-year-old girl. He also received a seven-year sentence for offensive conduct.

Justice Chudi Nwankwo presided over the case. The court found Onuorah guilty on two of the three charges against him.

According to Charge No. HID/4C/2025, the judgment was delivered on Friday, July 17. This case was between the State and James Mary Onuorah.

Onuorah faced a three-count charge of rape. This was under Section 3(1)(a) & (2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Law of Anambra State, 2017. He was also charged with offensive conduct under Section 7 of the same law. The court also looked at an indecent assault charge against the victim’s elder sister, punishable under Section 255 of the Criminal Code Cap. 36, Revised Laws of Anambra State 1991.

The prosecution, led by M.C. Ikeabunze and Nkiru Nzekwu, presented a case of abuse of trust. The charge sheet stated that Onuorah, a choirmaster and church teacher at Iba Pope Parish in Awada, deceived the victim's mother. He claimed that her daughters were possessed by ‘marine spirits and spiritual husbands’ and needed deliverance at his home.

Believing him, the mother allowed her daughters to attend prayer sessions at Onuorah's residence on No. 8 Amanafor Street in Awada. Taking advantage of his position, Onuorah lured the 16-year-old girl to his altar. He ordered her to strip naked, saying it was ‘the direction of the Holy Spirit’.

He then collected her menstrual blood and ovulation discharge. He had sexual intercourse with her, claiming that a ‘spiritual husband’ caused fibroids in her womb and that the only cure was sex with him. As a result, the girl became pregnant and gave birth in April 2026. Her hospital discharge receipt was presented in court as evidence.

The prosecution also claimed that Onuorah did something similar to the victim’s elder sister. She testified as PW1 while the victim testified as PW4. In total, the prosecution called four witnesses.

Onuorah denied the charges during cross-examination. The court rejected his confessional statement because it did not follow Section 13 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State.

After reviewing the evidence, the court found that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Justice Nwankwo said the testimony of PW4, the victim, was direct, consistent, and stood strong under cross-examination. The circumstantial evidence, including her pregnancy and delivery, supported her story.

Justice Nwankwo ruled that the prosecution proved the first and second counts beyond a reasonable doubt. He convicted Onuorah of rape and offensive conduct.

During sentencing, the prosecution asked for a life sentence as required under the Violence Against Persons Law. They also wanted the court to order Onuorah to pay restitution to the victim for her injuries and losses.

Onuorah pleaded with the court for mercy during his allocutus. In his ruling, Justice Nwankwo sentenced him to 25 years for rape and seven years for offensive conduct. The sentences will run at the same time.

The judge also ordered Onuorah to pay N5 million in compensation to the victim. However, the court cleared him of the third count related to the victim’s elder sister, stating that the prosecution did not prove the alleged 2014 incident due to a lack of a report or complaint.