Michael Oluronbi, a 60-year-old self-styled prophet and evangelical pastor, was sentenced in March 2020 to 34 years in prison for a horrific campaign of sexual abuse spanning two decades.
His case was described by the sentencing judge as “one of the worst cases of sexual abuse of multiple children to come before the courts.” Oluronbi, originally from Nigeria, operated primarily in Birmingham and London. He led a splinter group of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, where he exerted total control over his congregation.”Holy Baths” that He claimed that God had instructed him to administer “spiritual baths” or “holy baths” to cleanse members of evil spiritsn reality, these were used as a ruse to sexually abuse his victims, starting when they were children.He used his status as a “prophet” to brainwash victims, telling them the abuse was a necessary religious ritual to improve their grades or ward off demons.As a qualified pharmacist, he used his medical knowledge to manage the consequences of his crimes.
When four of his victims became pregnant, he either administered drugs to induce abortions himself or took them to clinics to cover his tracks.The case came to light after one of his victims, now an adult, came forward. A relative of a victim also managed to record a partial confession on camera before his arrest.
Oluronbi was arrested at Birmingham Airport in May 2018 while attempting to flee to Nigeria with cash and ceremonial belongings.He was convicted of 15 counts of rape, seven counts of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault. Evidence during the trial suggested he had committed at least 88 separate acts of rape.
During the trial, Oluronbi showed no remorse, reportedly laughing during evidence and claiming “the devil made me do it” when initially confronted.
Michael Oluronbi was sentenced for 34 years. Judge Sarah Buckingham called him “arrogant, selfish, and vain,” stating his true purpose was to fulfill an “insatiable sexual appetite.”
Juliana Oluronbi 58-year-old wife was also convicted for her role in the abuse. She was sentenced to 11 years in prison for aiding and abetting rape, specifically by helping to arrange the terminations for his victims.
Both were placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. The sentencing marked the end of a 20-year period of exploitation in which Oluronbi used his position of trust to treat his congregation, in the words of his victims, “almost like a king.”
Source: FB