The female lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor has been remanded to the State Criminal and Investigative Department (SCID) custody by the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court, sitting at the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Awka, Anambra state.
The suspect was remanded for allegedly inflicting physical injuries on the body of her 11-year-old housekeeper in Onitsha.
The suspect, a resident of Chris Igwilo Street Akapka GRA, 3-3 Onitsha, was arraigned on a two count charge of willful infliction of physical injuries on a minor (11-year-old), an offence punishable under Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of the Anambra State of Nigeria 2017.
The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charges read and interpreted to her to the satisfaction of the Court.
Meanwhile, the bail application made by counsel to the defendant, Chijioke Nwankwo was denied by the court, and the matter was adjourned to February 28, 2024, for a ruling.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the court sitting, the defendant’s counsel, Chijioke Nwankwo accused the State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare of what he termed “doing trial by ordeal”, insisting it was not in the best interest of the case.
Asked why it took his client time to report to the police, Nwankwo denied being aware of any bounty placed on her, saying, “As soon as I was contacted for the job, I took the defendant to the police immediately.”
The victim had since been discharged from the hospital and made an appearance in court too.
Reacting to the court ruling, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo expressed confidence in the court to do justice to the matter.
She revealed that her Ministry would soon embark on a media sensitization programme targeted at educating and enlightening the public about the dangers and consequences of child abuse.
She urged members of the public to shun all forms of social vices in the society, especially, those vices that endanger the life of children, just as she enjoined them to be agents of positive social change.
