52- Year- Old Bishop CAUGHT After RAPING 12- Year- Old Girl Living With Him In Abuja A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced Bishop Kenneth Duke, a well- known clergyman, to 20 years in prison for the rape of a 12- year- old girl. The court's decision followed a trial in which the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) brought charges against the bishop, who is 52 years old and hails from Cross River State. The convicted man was found guilty of raping the young victim, whose identity has been withheld for privacy reasons. The young girl, a daughter of one of the bishop's church members, was entrusted into the bishop's family's care. According to NAPTIP's spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, the child was living in Lagos before being brought to Abuja to stay with her mother. On the day of the incident, March 6, 2023, the victim had been invited to the bishop's family home after a church service, where she was supposed to stay with the bishop's wife. The plan was for the wife to guide her in learning a new skill, an arrangement previously discussed by both families. However, the bishop's actions took a horrifying turn the following day. After sending his own children on an errand, Bishop Duke was alone with the victim. It was during this time that he assaulted her. NAPTIP's investigation revealed that he gave the victim some mathematics work to do and then, while she was distracted, sexually assaulted her. Despite her cries and pleas for help, the bishop forced himself on the young girl, an act that he carried out with violence and intimidation. The crime took place at the bishop's residence, located near Dantata Construction Company in Dakwa, Abuja. The defendant was charged with rape and causing emotional and psychological abuse to the victim, violating the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015. In court, the bishop was found guilty of one count of rape, and Justice Adebiyi Osolo sentenced him to 20 years in prison, without the option of a fine. This ruling marks a significant moment in the fight against child abuse, with the sentence underscoring the judiciary's commitment to holding perpetrators accountable. The sentence came on the heels of another NAPTIP success story in Abuja. Just days earlier, NAPTIP operatives rescued nine pregnant girls from a suspected baby factory located in the Ushafa area. The girls had been confined to a rented apartment by an unidentified trafficking agent who had recruited them through an online platform. NAPTIP's swift action in raiding the facility was prompted by a tip- off from a concerned citizen, highlighting the importance of public vigilance in combating human trafficking. The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, praised the judiciary's decision, stating that it serves as a strong deterrent to others who might think they can evade justice due to their position or status. She expressed her relief that the court had handed down a sentence that reflects the gravity of the crime and its long- lasting impact on the victim. Bello also reiterated the agency's commitment to prosecuting those who violate laws protecting children, regardless of their social status. She emphasized that rape is a devastating crime, one that leaves lasting psychological scars on the victims. Binta Bello's comments were filled with sorrow at the thought of a 52-year- old man taking advantage of a 12- year-old girl, describing the act as not only criminal but deeply painful. She called on all members of society to unite against such heinous acts and to work together to protect children from exploitation and abuse. The hope is that this case will raise awareness about the seriousness of such crimes and serve as a warning to anyone considering similar actions. View and join our WhatsApp Channel for more interesting stories. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5mBOf11ulYBPA6VP3L Like, comment, and share for more articles.