A 41-year-old man, Chinonso Ibeh, has been remanded in the Awka Correctional Facility for allegedly defiling a six-year-old girl in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Offences Court in Awka gave the order on Tuesday after Ibeh was arraigned on a one-count charge of defilement.
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Chinyere Okechukwu, the accused committed the offence on January 18. “The complainant, who is the victim’s mother, reported that the suspect called her daughter and an eight-year-old girl, dragged them into a nearby bush, and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her child. The older girl escaped and raised the alarm,” she said.
Okechukwu added that a medical examination at the General Hospital in Agulu confirmed that the child had been defiled.
The prosecutor further stated that the alleged offence contravened Section 130(2)(a)(b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2022, and urged the court to remand the suspect pending further legal proceedings.
Despite pleading not guilty, Chief Magistrate U.E. Onochie ordered Ibeh’s remand at the Awka Correctional Facility and directed that the case file be forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
The case was adjourned until March 12 for a report on compliance.
