A 25-year-old man, Effiulor Obumneme, appeared before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abakaliki on Tuesday, facing charges of allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl. The defendant, whose residential address was not disclosed, is being tried on a one-count charge of defilement.
According to the police prosecutor, ASP Lilian Aliede, the incident occurred on June 7 at Igboji Market in the Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The prosecution alleged that Obumneme unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the minor, an offense that violates Section 34 (2) of the Ebonyi State Child Rights Act and Related Matters Law of 2010.
The defense counsel, Sunday Eleke, requested bail for the defendant on liberal terms. However, Chief Magistrate Linda Ogodo denied the application and ordered that Obumneme be remanded at the Abakaliki Federal Correctional Centre. The court further directed that the case file be forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice and adjourned the matter until July 11 for further proceedings.
