A 13-year-old girl, Nancy Peter, has died after she was allegedly beaten by Pastor Roman Samson, the General Overseer of Goodness of Jesus Ministry in Wula, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, over a missing N30,000 belonging to her mother.
According to The Nigerian Tribune, the incident occurred on June 1 after Nancy’s mother, Agnes Peter, took her daughter to the pastor following repeated allegations of stealing. Agnes said she had reported her daughter’s behaviour to the pastor several times, adding that the pastor usually cautioned Nancy and sent her back home.
She said she later decided to seek stronger intervention after another incident involving the missing money.
The report stated that Pastor Samson had a close relationship with Agnes and her children, having supported their welfare after she was allegedly abandoned by her husband. The pastor reportedly said he had helped the family with their education and upkeep.
He explained that when Agnes came to him, she had nothing because she had been rejected by her husband with two children, adding that he started funding their schooling and welfare, which he described as God answering her prayers through him.
Both Agnes and Samson reportedly agreed that Nancy was taken to the pastor’s residence over the alleged theft, but their accounts differed over whether she approved of the beating.
Agnes denied asking the pastor to physically punish her daughter, saying she only wanted him to advise and correct her. She maintained that she was not present when the pastor allegedly beat Nancy.
It was gathered that Nancy later admitted taking the money and showed where it was kept, leading to its recovery. However, Agnes reportedly met Samson on the road while he was taking the teenager to the hospital, where she was later confirmed dead.
Samson, however, claimed that Agnes requested that he beat Nancy, saying she had already punished her but wanted him to do the same. He admitted using a horsewhip on the girl before noticing that she had become weak.
He said, “She told me that the girl stole her N30,000 and asked that I should beat her. She also stated that she had already beaten her, but wanted me to also beat her. I went for my horsewhip and gave her about 13 to 15 strokes, when I discovered she had become very weak,” admitted Samson.
The incident has raised concerns over corporal punishment and the dangers of using physical discipline on children. Experts have warned that severe beating can result in serious injuries, internal bleeding, and death.
The law prohibits cruel and degrading treatment of children, and consent from a parent does not remove responsibility where excessive punishment leads to harm.
Both Pastor Samson and Agnes Peter have been arrested and are being held by the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Cross River State.
The police confirmed that investigations into the circumstances surrounding Nancy’s death are ongoing……See More
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