The Abia state command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest and detention of the General Overseer of Agape Evangelical Ministry identified as Bishop Timothy Otu.
It would be recalled that The Nation had reported that a female Evangelist attached to a Pentecostal church in Aba reportedly died during suspected rounds of sex with an unnamed General Overseer and Bishop whose church is in Aba, Abia state.
In a statement released by the Abia State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, it was revealed that the deceased female Evangelist has been identified as Happiness Echieze, a mother of five.
The incident reportedly took place at a guest house in Ovom Village, Obingwa local government area of the state.
Chinaka, who stated that the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation into the matter, also disclosed that the body of the deceased has been deposited at a missionary Hospital’s morgue located around the Ogbor Hill axis of Aba.
Giving police account of the incident, the PPRO said: “On the 13th of August 2023, at approximately 09:30 AM, Mr Godwin Akpan (male), residing at Jubilee Guest House in Ovom Village, Obingwa LGA, reported to the Isiala Ngwa Police Division that an incident had occurred.
“It was revealed that on the evening of the 12th of August 2023, around 09:25 PM, a clergyman named Timothy Otu (male), associated with Agape Evangelical Ministry at Obikabia Junction in Obingwa LGA, had checked into the guest house along with a woman named Happiness Echieze (female) from Isiala Ngwa LGA, Abia State. Happiness Echieze was 43 years of age.
“Further details provided by Mr Akpan indicated that on the same date, around 12:00 AM, he entered the hotel room of the aforementioned clergyman and discovered the lifeless body of Happiness Echieze.
“She was found unclothed, and a white substance was emanating from her mouth and nose.
The statement further read: “Regrettably, the clergyman was absent from the scene. We hereby inform the public that immediate preliminary investigations have been launched into this matter.
“The deceased’s body has been transported from the location and is currently at the SDA Mortuary in Aba, awaiting an autopsy examination.
“Additionally, we wish to convey that the suspected individual in this case has been apprehended. The case has been transferred to the State CID for discreet investigations.”
(The Nation)
