The Anambra State Government, through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and Security Operatives, has apprehended a 34-year-old man, identified as Chukwudi Okoye, for defiling a 10-year-old girl.

The suspect said to be a seminarian in the Anglican Communion, committed the act in the Amanuke community, Awka North Local Government Area in the state.

A statement on Tuesday by Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, disclosed that the incident, which occurred sometime in July, was brought to the notice of the ministry in August, by a whistleblower.

Ikeanyionwu added that the commissioner, through the security operatives, launched a hunt for the suspect, apprehended and brought him for interrogation before the law enforcement agents.

The statement read in part, “The suspect, Chukwudi Okoye, 34, a native of Enugwu-Agidi, but resident at Amanuke, said he only fingered the survivor because his manhood could not enter her private parts.

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“According to the 34-year-old suspect, he never intended to do such a despicable act but was lured into it when the 10-year-old lay on his bed. Although he denied penetrating the girl, he at the same time, pleaded for pardon because, according to him, it was the work of the devil.

“The suspect is said to be a seminarian in the Anglican Communion in Amanuke.

“Meanwhile, the 10-year-old victim stated that she was defiled on the day of her graduation ceremony when the suspect called her alongside her friend to come and wash plates for him.

“She explained that after she had finished washing the plates, he discharged her friend and asked her to play with him before taking her to the bed where he removed her clothes and had carnal knowledge of her.

“On why she did not tell anyone of the incident, the little girl said that she was seriously warned by the suspect never to tell anyone or he would deal with her.”

When interrogated, the grandmother of the victim said she only got to know of the incident after the girl became seriously ill, which was one week after the incident.

The statement added, “The grandmother explained that she took her granddaughter to the suspect’s house after she learnt that he was responsible for the act.

“She said it was in the process that the suspect decided to take the child to the hospital where they were subsequently referred to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku Awka for further treatment.”

As of the time of this report, the suspect had been handed over to the police for further investigation and consequently charged the case to court.

In Anambra State, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which outlaws all forms of violence against women and girls, including rape, female circumcision and forceful ejection, was enacted in 2015 and offenders, on conviction, face life imprisonment or a maximum of 14-year jail term, depending on the age of the offender and type of violence committed.

Several persons have been arrested in Anambra on offences ranging from rape and defilement and many cases are at various courts waiting for prosecution.