But State prosecutor says that nowhere in his church doctrines does it say that he needs to do it

Pastor Iowane Vakadranu of the Back to Eden Church Ministry yesterday told the court that he was allowed by the Bible to have sex with the two female church members.

He said at the High Court in Suva: “There is support from the Bible that allows me to do it.”

Vakadranu, who is charged with four counts of rape, appeared before Judge Justice Vincent Perera.

It is alleged that between October 1, 2012, and October 21, 2015, in Vanua Levu and Tailevu, Vakadranu raped two of his church members who were 19-years-old then.

Cross examination by state

In the cross-examination, State prosecutor Siteri Navia told Vakadranu that nowhere in his church doctrines did it say thats he needed to have sex with the women to prepare them for mission.

She added neither did it say that God had commanded it.

She said: “The doctrine of Vakadranu’s church is no sin, no sickness and no death.”

Vakadranu had told the court that he was the teacher and the doctor for the church.

Ms Navia questioned his qualification.

He replied that he did not have any qualification from a medical institute or teaching institute to be a certified doctor or teacher.

He said that education was of this world and it would come to an end. But, he said, learning God’s spiritual education was everlasting.

Vakadranu  told the court, according to the Bible, the church members were married to him.

Ms Navia asked Vakadranu the definition of adultery. He replied saying that “it is when you have sex without being legally married.”

She asked Vakadranu whether he was committing adultery by having sex with youths of the church without being legally married to them.

He replied: “The purpose of it is to teach them what adultery is and for them to tell the world it’s not allowed but only I am allowed as I am his (God’s) apostle.

“I explained to the church to be reunited with their pastor as one body.”

The court heard that after three years of preparing the youths Vakadranu had not sent them to the world for missions.

Ms Navia put it to Vakadranu that he made false representation to the two women in Labasa just to have sex with them. Vakadranu said no.

He added: “I have not sent them for missions yet because I want them to qualify.”

In her closing submission, Ms Navia said: “Pastors are servants of God because they are here to help us spiritually.

“Vakadranu lays out all these teachings to his members and he says he is exempted from this teachings.

“He made false representation to benefit himself.”

Defence

Defence lawyer Semi Tinivata, in his closing submission, said that the victims were adults and were old enough to give their consent.

Mr Tinivata further stated that the first victim had given evidence in court that she had consented to the alleged acts and that she was just exercising her rights to religion.

The court will be summing the case tomorrow.

Edited by Maraia Vula

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