Children, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka has remanded one Joseph Egwuatu, a 35 year old man who allegedly defiled a 2 year old baby in Anambra West Local Government Area, WithinNigeria reports.
Joseph who hails from Nzam in Anambra West LGA was arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 on a two count charge bothering on rape.
Though the charge was read to him but he didn’t not take a plea.
Speaking immediately after the court session, Joseph who gave his side of the story denied the allegation noting that he only opted to help babysit the child when she was asked by one of the relative to do so upon running an errand.
According to him, he stepped aside to get a few things done in the house when he heard the baby crying and decided to go check on her but to his shock saw her in pool of her own blood with lots of tear in her vagina which left him bewildered.
The suspect stated that it was at that moment that one of their relative stepped in and raised alarm telling everyone that he raped the baby.
In his defense, Joseph said he will never attempt to harm anyone let alone his blood.A dig further revealed that the culprit Joseph was actually the one who sent the relative on the errand which is to fetch water from a far distance.
According to a source who seeks to remain anonymous said the child who will be two years old come in April 19, 2023, before she was raped and her sexual organs brutally damaged revealed that the said culprit left his house and came to the brothers house, sent the relative who takes care of kid on an errand before carrying out the dastardly act on his niece.
The two year old baby had since taken to hospital for medical attention while the court has remanded the culprit in prison custody.
Reacting to the news, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Anambra State, Hon. Ify Obinabo expressed sadness over incident but assured that she’s certain that justice will take it’s full course.
The Women Affairs Commissioner went ahead to reveal that her ministry is starting a media tour where ndị Anambra will be sensitized on the dangers and consequences of rape, child molestation, child labor, abuse and other related issues and urged everyone to shun all forms of vices in the society by being an agent of change.
