A Magistrates’ Court in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, has ordered the remand of embattled cleric Bishop Sam Onyeagoziri Ndubueze, the Spiritual Head of Champion Cathedral, over his alleged involvement in a sexual assault case.

The cleric was accused of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a female victim (name withheld) under threats and false pretenses. He was arraigned before Magistrates’ Court 2, Abakaliki, on a four-count charge bordering on threats, fraudulent representation, and circulation of pornographic materials.

The offences, according to the court documents, contravene provisions of the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2018, the Criminal Code, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.

Ruling on the matter, the trial magistrate, Mrs. Chima Nkechi Happiness, ordered that Bishop Ndubueze be remanded in the Abakaliki Correctional Centre, stating that her court lacked jurisdiction to handle the case.

She directed that the case file, evidence, and all supporting documents be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further legal action.

According to the charge sheet numbered 547C/2025, the cleric was alleged to have, in 2021 at Mile 50 Layout, Abakaliki, had unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim after obtaining her consent through threats and false representation, an offence punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code.

He was also accused of threatening the victim’s life with a gun, sending pornographic messages, and circulating her nude photographs on social media, acts punishable under the Cybercrimes Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law.

Investigations revealed that the victim was allegedly deceived into the act after the cleric promised to heal her of sickle cell disease.

The magistrate adjourned the case to November 4, 2025, for further proceedings.

Meanwhile, the development has sparked public outrage in Abakaliki, with residents calling for a thorough and transparent prosecution of the case.