A children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court, sitting at the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Awka, Anambra State, yesterday, remanded a female lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor, in the custody of the State Criminal and Investigative Department (SCID) for battering her 11-year-old maid.
The suspect was remanded for allegedly inflicting physical injuries on the body of the young housekeeper in Onitsha. Okafor, a resident of Chris Igwilo Street, Akapka GRA, Onitsha, was arraigned on a two-count charge of willfully inflicting physical injuries on the body of 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, the court denied a bail application made by counsel to the defendant, Chijioke Nwankwo, and adjourned till February 28, for ruling. Speaking to reporters shortly after the court session, Nwankwo accused the state’s Ministry of Women and Social Welfare of what he termed “trial by ordeal”, insisting this was not in the best interest of the case.
Asked why it took his client time to report herself 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, who has since been discharged from the hospital, also made an appearance in court. Reacting to the ruling, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, expressed confidence that the court would do justice to the matter.
She revealed that her ministry would soon embark on media sensitisation aimed at enlightening the public on dangers and consequences of child abuse.
She urged members of the public to shun all forms of vices, especially those that endanger the life of children, even as she enjoined them to be agents of positive social change.
