A 65-year-old man, Joseph Nwankwo, has been remanded in custody by the Children, S3xual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka, Anambra State, on allegations of r*ping an eight-year-old girl.
Mr. Nwankwo faces a single charge of defilement.
According to Police Prosecutor Inspector Chinyere Okechukwu, the alleged offense occurred on December 28, 2024, in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The complainant, the victim’s mother, reported that her daughter complained of waist pain. Upon examination, she discovered swelling in her daughter’s v*ginal area.
“A medical examination at the General Hospital Ekwulobia confirmed that the girl had been defiled,” the prosecutor stated. “The eight-year-old then disclosed that the defendant had been engaging in s3xual acts with her.”
Inspector Okechukwu stated that the alleged crime violates Section 130(2) (a) (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2022 and requested the court to remand the suspect in a correctional facility.
Mr. Nwankwo pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Chief Magistrate U.E. Onochie ordered the defendant to be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The case was adjourned until March 12th for a compliance report.
