The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, has insisted that the woman accused of torturing a female student of Community Secondary School, Agulu Awka, with a hot electric iron must be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The commissioner believes that prosecuting the matter would serve as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar acts.
Chuma-Udeh disclosed this over the weekend, while addressing the suspect in her office in Awka.
Recall that the suspect, Mrs Osinachi Ede of Ohafia in Isielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, is currently under investigation for allegedly inflicting severe bodily injuries on the 17-year-old student, Miss Miracle Ama, who was said to be her house help.
According to the victim, the suspect had assaulted her after accusing her of using a mobile phone without permission, to call one of her boyfriends.
She alleged that Osinachi, enraged by her action, punished her by pressing a heated electric iron against parts of her body, inflicting serious injuries.
The suspect, according to the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, has confessed to the crime.
According to the Commission, who directed that the victim, who had earlier been sent to her people, be returned to Awka, the state government is committed to child protection.
She reaffirmed the resolve of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the welfare and safety of every child in Anambra schools.
She warned that the full weight of the law would be applied against anyone found culpable of child abuse in the state.
“The interest of Mr Governor in this matter is to ensure that every child in Anambra is adequately protected from abuse.
“The suspect must be arraigned before the court to serve as a deterrent to others who may have the intention of engaging in similar breaches,” Chuma-Udeh said.
