Deeper Life excommunicates member over alleged rape of 12-year-old girl

60-year-old man, Boniface Onyekwere, who claimed to be a Deeper Life Church pastor, has been excommunicated by the church over an alleged attempt to rape a 12-year-old girl in Anambra State.

The State Overseer, Pastor Jude Chukwuocha, who disclosed this in a statement said that Onyekwere was not a pastor or worker in any Deeper Life church in Anambra State.

Deeper Life Church stated that Onyekwere was being disciplined by the leadership of the Deeper Life church in Awka in 2021, when he was allegedly implicated in the case of abuse and an attempt to marry a 16-year-old girl.

WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that Onyekwere was arrested by the police on charges of attempted rape of a minor who was entrusted in his care after the girl reportedly jumped from a storey building to escape being defiled.

The statement reads, “This is to bring to the notice of the general public that one Mr Boniface Onyekwere-a 60-year-old man parading himself as a ‘Deeper Life Pastor’ is neither a pastor nor a church worker at any level in Deeper Life Bible Church, Awka, Anambra State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, he just attended Deeper Life Bible Church as a member. This fellow was placed on discipline by the leadership of Deeper Life Bible Church in Awka in August 2021, when he was implicated in the case of abuse and attempt to marry an underaged (16 years old) girl.

“In the light of this recent involvement in the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, the general public should note the following: That Deeper Life Bible Church still emphasises the importance of holiness of life by all who professes faith in Christ Jesus.

“That Deeper Life Bible Church strongly and strictly calls all members of the church to live as shining lights in the world wherever they are found, therefore, must not be involved in any sinful actions, immorality in any form inclusive.

“Therefore, the fellow who goes by the name Boniface Onyekwere identified in the allegation of rape of a 12-year-old girl is hereby excommunicated from any branch of Deeper Life Bible Church.”