Court Remands 12 Suspects In Anambra Over Alleged Child Abus£, ∆bduction, ∆ssault

Court Remands 12 Suspects In Anambra Over Alleged Child Abuse, Abduction, Assault

Also brought before the court were Charity Anakwe and Chidiere Anakwe, who are facing allegations of assaulting their 12-year-old house help.

The Anambra State Gender Magistrate Court in Awka, the state capital, has remanded 12 suspects in prison over allegations of rape, defilement, child abuse, abduction and assault.

The suspects were arraigned by the Anambra State Police Command, which reaffirmed its commitment to protecting women and children from violence and ensuring justice for victims.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspects were arraigned before the court on Wednesday over separate criminal allegations involving minors and other vulnerable persons.

Among those arraigned are Chima Onyeanuna, Emeka Muo, and Okafor Chibundu, who are accused of abducting and defiling a 14-year-old girl in the Nanka area of the state.

In a separate case, police operatives also arraigned Chukwudi Ugwu Jeremiah over the alleged defilement of an 11-year-old girl along Slaughter Lane in Awka.

The command further disclosed that Ndubuisi Ikechebelu, Udogu Kennedy, Nnamah Christopher, and Chinecherem Emmanuel were arraigned over allegations of raping a 19-year-old woman on different occasions, which allegedly resulted in her pregnancy.

Also brought before the court were Charity Anakwe and Chidiere Anakwe, who are facing allegations of assaulting their 12-year-old house help.

The police added that Chukwudi Joseph was arraigned for allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Ozubulu, while Chibuike Agu was charged with the alleged defilement of a 13-year-old girl in Fegge.

According to the police spokesperson, the court ordered that all 12 suspects be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their respective cases.

Ikenga stressed that the suspects remain accused persons and are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Reaffirming its stance against sexual and gender-based violence, Ikenga said the command would continue to pursue justice for victims across the state.

“To this end, the Command reiterates its zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence, child abuse, and all forms of violence against vulnerable persons,” Ikenga stated.

“The Command also assures the public that the Police will continue to diligently investigate such cases and ensure that offenders are brought to justice in accordance with the law.”