Authorities charge three individuals with incest and child abuse offenses in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has taken three suspects to the Gender Magistrate Court in Awka, where they face various charges related to incest, defilement, and rape, following a thorough investigation.

n

One of the suspects, Ikenna Mojekwu, is accused of committing incest with his 14-year-old daughter in Aguluzoigbo, Anaocha Local Government Area, according to a press statement released by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command's Spokesman, on Thursday.

n

SP Tochukwu Ikenga revealed that the suspects were arraigned on Wednesday, after the police had completed their investigations, and this move demonstrates the police's commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

n

Another suspect, Chibuike Ikemelu, is alleged to have had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl, resulting in pregnancy, in Abatete, Idemili North LGA, while the third suspect, 16-year-old Chukwuma Emenike, faces allegations of defiling an eight-year-old girl in Umuoji, Idemili North.

n

The statement from the police command outlined the separate charges against the suspects, including Ikenna Mojekwu, who allegedly engaged in unlawful sexual acts with his 14-year-old daughter, and Chibuike Ikemelu, who allegedly impregnated a 14-year-old girl in Abatete.

n

Chukwuma Emenike, aged 16, was also arraigned for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl in Umuoji, and all the suspects were remanded in accordance with the court's orders, with the matters adjourned to later dates for further hearing.

n

SP Tochukwu Ikenga reaffirmed the command's commitment to investigating and prosecuting all cases involving sexual and gender-based violence, and encouraged victims and the public to report such offenses promptly.

n

Ikenga assured that every report would be treated with the seriousness it deserves, while safeguarding the rights of victims and ensuring due process, as the command strives to protect vulnerable persons and deliver justice.

n

In a related development, a Rivers State family court in Port Harcourt had previously convicted and sentenced a 75-year-old man, Promise Chukwumatti, to ten years' imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl.

n

The court also ordered Promise Chukwumatti to pay N1m to the family of the minor as compensation and included his name in the list of rapists in the state.