Anambra-based female lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor has been remanded in the custody of the State Criminal and Investigative Department 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 willfully infliction of physical injuries on the body of one Happiness Nwafor an offence punishable under Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of 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, bail application made by Counsel to the defendant, Chijioke Nwankwo was denied by the court and matter adjourned to February 28 2024 for ruling.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the court sitting, defendant council Barr Chijioke Nwankwo accused 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 appearance in court too.
Reacting to the court ruling, the State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo expressed confidence in the ability of the court to do justice to the matter.
She revealed that her Ministry would soon embark on media sensitization programme targeted at educating and enlightening the public about 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.
