Trader Held Over Alleged Rape of 11-Year-Old Girl

The Children Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka, Anambra State, on Thursday, ordered that a 58-year-old trader be held at the correctional centre. This is over the alleged rape of a minor.

The accused, Chukwudi Ugwu, is facing a charge of raping his neighbour’s 11-year-old daughter. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Inspector Chinyere Okechukwu, the prosecutor, told the court that Ugwu committed the crime at No. 10, Slaughter Lane, Eke in Awka. She claimed that he tricked the girl into his shop and raped her.

This crime goes against section 34(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004. The prosecutor asked the court to keep Ugwu in the correctional facility based on section 130(2) (a) (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2022.

Chief Magistrate U.E. Onochie then ordered that Ugwu be held at the Awka Correctional facility. The case has been adjourned until 5 August for the next hearing.