Court reminds cleric in prison over alleged sexual scandal in Ebonyi  

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

A magistrate court sitting in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state on Tuesday remind the embattled cleric, one Sam Onyeagoziri Ndubueze, the leader of the Champion Cathedral, in the correctional centre over alleged involvement in sex scandal.

The Nations News reports that the cleric was accused of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a female, one (name withheld) in the state.

The embattled cleric, Ndubueze was arrigned before the magistrate court on a four count charges ranging from; threats, false, fraudulent and circulation of pornographic photos of a female

which is punishable under section 20(1) of Ebonyi state violence against persons prohibited law 2018, 2009 and 2015 as amended 2024.

The trial magistrate, court 2 Abakaliki, Chima Nkechi Happiness ordered that the suspect, Ndubueze be reminded in the Abakaliki Correctional center, adding that the magistrate court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

She, also ordered for transfer of the original case file, evidences, and all documents in the matter to the Department of public prosecution, DPP,  for further prosecution.

The charge sheet Number 547c/2025 which was made available to newsmen in Abakaliki reads in part;  “that you Sam Onyeagoziri Ndubueze ‘M’ sometime in the year 2021 at Mile 50 Layout Abakaliki in the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, did have unlawful carnal knowledge of one female (name withheld) having obtained her consent by means of threats and false and fraudulent representation and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 358 of the criminal code Cap 33 Vol.1 Law of Ebonyi state of Nigeria.

“Count 2: That you Sam Onyeagoziri Ndubueze ‘M’ on the same date place and aforementioned magistral district did threaten the life of one female (name withheld) with gun which caused her extreme fear and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 12(1) (a) (b) of the Ebonyi state internal security enforcement and related matters law 2009.

“Count 3: That you Sam Onyeagoziri Ndubueze (M) on the same date place and aforementioned magisterial district did knowingly send messages by means of computer systems that is pornographic and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 24(2) (I) of cybercrimes (prohibited, prevention, etc 2015 as amended 2024.

Count 4: That you Sam Onyeagoziri Ndubueze (M) on the same date place and aforementioned magisterial district did emotionally and psychologically abuse one female (name withheld) by causing her nude photographs to be circulated on social media and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 20(1) of Ebonyi state Violence Against Persons Prohibited law 2018,” the charge sheet stated.

It was gathered that the victim was lured into the act on quest to have her sickle cell heal by the Bishop.

The trai judge, Chima, however adjourned the matter to November 4th, 2025 for further hearing.