By Angela Nwaeze Mbaocha
Ebonyi State Police Command has arraigned a 65-year-old retired police officer, Christopher Idam, and one Okah Chukwu, who The Voice reported recently, defiled 10-year-old girl.
They were arraigned on Friday before an Abakaliki Magistrate’ Court on two counts of defilement and unlawful sexual intercourse with the minor.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Mbam Chinedu, told the court that both Idam and Chukwu committed the offence at the Amachara Ezeke village, Amasiri community, in the Afikpo North Local Area of the state, on Sunday, August 18, 2019.
According to him, the offence is punishable under Section 34 (2) of the Ebonyi State Child Rights Law and Related Matters, 2010.
“You Christopher Idam, on August 18, 2019, at Amachara Ezeke, Amasiri, Afikpo North local government area, in the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did have unlawful sexual intercourse with a 10-year-old girl, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 34 (2) of the Ebonyi State Child Rights Law and Related Matters, 2010.
“That you Okah Chukwu, sometime in 2019 in an open shop at the Orie Amasiri Market, Afikpo North LGA, in the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did have unlawful sexual intercourse with a 10-year-old girl, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 34 (2) of the Ebonyi State Child Rights Law and Related Matters, 2010.”
Adjourning the case, the magistrate, Nnenna Onuoha remanded the accused persons in prison custody pointing out that the court lacks the jurisdiction to trial the case, while reminding them of their right for bail in the high court, and case file was transferred to Director of Prosecution.
Recall The Voice in its previous edition, reported that Ebonyi Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a retired police officer over alleged defilement of 10 year-old girl.
The suspect identified as Mr. Christopher Idam was accused of committing the crime with one other suspect, Mr. Oka Chukwu, both form Amapu, Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area.
The victim was identified as Amarachi Idenyi of the same community.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah said the victim’s mother who reported the incident which was discovered on August 17, 2019, stated that her daughter who was sent out to sell animal skin (canda) within the village was lured to the retired police officer’s house, Mr. Idam.
“She further explained that on interrogation, the child mentioned the second suspect, Oka Chukwu, male, and confirmed that both suspects usually lure her into their individual houses with money and have carnal knowledge of her,” she narrated.
Odah further said the case has been incidented, while the suspects were arrested and statements were being taken from both parties.
“Police medical performer was served accordingly for medical report and the case transferred to the state CID for further investigation, she stated.
When asked what happens since the girl never raised alarm during the incidents, the PPRO noted, “The law believes that having sexual knowledge of a child from 10 years below is defilement, and a child of 10 years has no control over her actions and can easily be induced and she remains a minor”.
