First state witness says she gave 75-year-old pastor permission to have sexual intercourse with her

The first state witness in the rape trial of the 75-year-old pastor of Back to Eden Church Iowane Vakadranu told the Suva High Court that she gave Vakadranu permission to have sexual intercourse with her as this was her choice and she agreed with it.

The 22-year-old from Waidalice was 19-years-old at the time of the alleged incidents.

As state prosecutor, Siteri Navia continued to ask questions in relation to the alleged rapes, the woman told the court that everything done was not the lust of the flesh and she had clear conscience of what was happening.

The state witness also told the court that Back to Eden Church Ministry had a vision of “no sin, no sickness and no death.”

She said Vakadranu had told her that he will perform an act on her that she has never dreamt of.

The alleged rape victim also highlighted that Vakadranu told her that she is being prepared for a mission which is to take the word of God.

She told the court that Vakadranu told her she cannot tell the world something which she has not done.

The woman told the court that she was appointed as the Youth Leader Assistant and the Secretary for the Health Ministry of their church.

She also revealed in court that her father is the assistant pastor of the church while her mother is the church stewart.

During cross examination the witness was asked by the prosecution on what word of God did Vakadranu teach her that she had no regrets of the sexual acts performed on her in Labasa and Tailevu by the church pastor.

The witness told the court that the time was too short and the court could not understand what had happened and it was a teaching from the bible.

She said it may look foolish to the court but she believes that it is a fact in the eyes of God.

The prosecution had opened the case today saying that they will present witnesses to prove that Vakadranu raped two of his followers between 2012 to 2014.

The court was told that Vakadranu was the leader and pastor of Back to Eden Church Ministry which is a breakaway of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The 75-year-old ministry leader and pastor was living with 12 members of a youth group in Vunika, Labasa.

Vakadranu is charged with four counts of rape.

The alleged incidents occurred between 1st October, 2012 to 31st August, 2014 in Labasa and Tailevu.

Meanwhile Presiding Judge Justice Vincent Perera has today ordered the defence to advise his client to stop interfering with state witnesses.

The prosecution told the judge that Vakadranu spoke to one of the state witnesses and then kissed the witness after the court hearing last week.

The trial will continue at the High Court later this morning.