Popular Edo Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Rape of Married Woman
By Simeon OSAJIE
A clergyman, Pastor Simeon Okehielem (38yrs) popularly referred to as Ebube Wonder of Ebube Wonders of Synagogue Prayers Ministry, a.k.a. “Healing And Deliverance Mountain” has been arraigned in Edo High Court, Criminal Court 1 on Thursday over the alleged rape of a married woman identified as Mrs. Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.
The alleged rape of Mrs. Isoken Vivian Aigbedo by the suspect was sequel to the birth of an illegitimate child from the rape incident.
The presiding, Justice Erhabor immediately remanded the suspect in Correctional Centre, following a Motion Exparte order to remand the suspect in Correctional Custodial Centre, Benin City, for an initial period of 14 days pending the rendering of Legal Advice on the case from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.
State Prosecution P. O. Odion Esq told the court that the suspect committed the crime on February, 2022 in Benin City, within the Benin Criminal Division.
The suspect, who is standing trial for rape of a housewife in 2022 somewhere around Uholor Community in Benin, was arraigned on a two count charge bothering on alleged rape and intent to commit a felony.
The offense is contrary to Section 4 and punishable under Section 5 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.
The charges with Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025 reads, “That you Okehielem Simeon ‘m’ on about the month of February, 2022 in Benin City, within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs. Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 punishable under Section 5 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.
“That you Okehielem Simeon ‘m’ on about the month of February, 2022 in Benin City, within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, used the means calculated to stupefy one Mrs. Isoken Vivian Aigbedo by giving her some substance to swallow and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.”
In an interview with newsmen after the arraignment, counsel to the victim, Clinton Ogbebor Esq expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Police Force for the professionalism with which they handled the investigation and subsequently arraigned the suspect in court.
“We are in court today in respect of alleged case of rape against one Pastor Simeon Okehielem popularly referred to as Ebube Wonder of Ebube Wonders Synagogue Prayers Ministry, a.k.a. “Healing And Deliverance Mountain” who sometime at the month of March 2024 raped one Mrs. Isoken Aigbedo Owie, who is a housewife to Aigbedo Owe somewhere around Uholor Community here in Benin City. The case of rape led to the birth of a certain child which I would not want to disclose her name now.
“Sequel to same, the lady in question who is my client wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police wherein investigation commenced since last year. And all this while the police have been trying to track the said suspect the pastor to no avail.
“Until recently, the police were able to arrest him and sequel to same, a DNA paternity test was conducted on the child which the victim (Mrs. Isoken Aigbedo alleged that the pastor impregnated her during the cause of this rape. So the paternity test came out sometime last week, and it was a read to the audience sometime this Monday, wherein it was disclosed that Pastor Simeon Okehielem was the father of the child. By the DNA test, he was 99.9% as the father. Upon that development, the police moved into action and rearrested him and today, be the 10th day of July 2025, they decide to arraign him before the State High Court here particularly the Criminal Division wherein he has been remanded to Benin correctional Centre here in Benin City.
“The court has also made an order to the effect that the case file should be duplicated to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) here in Benin City for legal advice. So, we’ll take it off from there,” he said.
