Abuja, Nigeria — An FCT High Court sitting in Gwarinpa has granted fresh bail to an Abuja-based pastor standing trial over allegations of child defilement, while imposing more stringent conditions aimed at ensuring compliance with judicial proceedings.
The defendant, Pastor Amos Isah, General Overseer of Prophetic Voice of Fire Ministry International in Gwagwalada, is facing an eight-count charge bordering on rape, child defilement, sexual exploitation, and related offences involving a 14-year-old girl.
Ruling on the latest bail application, the presiding judge, Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi, granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court, however, introduced stricter conditions than those previously imposed, citing the seriousness of the charges and the need to ensure the defendant’s availability for trial.
Under the new terms, the sureties are required to be senior officials of recognised religious organisations, particularly Pentecostal ministries, and must present valid tax clearance certificates.
The court further ordered that both the sureties’ church premises and residential addresses must be verified by court officials. In addition, the defendant was directed to deposit his international passport with the court registry.
According to court documents, the pastor was initially arrested in June 2025 following allegations that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old member of his church’s media unit.
He was first arraigned on four counts, but the charges were later expanded to eight counts after further review by the prosecution.
The amended charges include allegations of child defilement and sexual exploitation, offences which under Nigerian law carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment upon conviction.
During the bail hearing, defence counsel urged the court to grant bail on medical and procedural grounds, arguing that the defendant had complied with previous bail terms and posed no flight risk.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, urging the court to deny bail due to the gravity of the offences and the vulnerability of the alleged victim.
The court held that the defence failed to provide sufficient medical evidence showing that the defendant could not receive adequate treatment while in custody.
In her ruling, Justice Osho-Adebiyi noted that the defendant had not violated previous bail conditions, had consistently appeared in court, and had not attempted to interfere with the judicial process.
The judge therefore held that while bail was appropriate, additional safeguards were necessary given the seriousness of the allegations.
The case has been adjourned until 30 June 2026 for continuation of trial.
