By CHARLES IWUOHA

A university don, Professor Felix Anyaegbunam, has been arrested by the Ebonyi State Police Command for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old pupil.

Anyaegbunam is with the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi state.

The suspect, a native of Anambra State, is said to have sexually assaulted the victim for the past six months.

The victim (names withheld), who hails from Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, stays in the suspect’s house with her father, who works as a securityman/gateman.

A reliable source told News Express: “An alleged child violator, Felix Anyaegbunam, a Professor of Geophysics working with Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, in Ebonyi State, is now in the police net. He is from Anambra State. His wife is also a Professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and most of his children are Doctoral Degree holders.

“A few days ago, a whistleblower brought a report against the professor leading to his arrest and detention yesterday by the police. He is being accused of constant sexual abuse of the 12-year-old daughter of his gateman.

“The victim is from Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State. However, she has been rescued and is currently receiving proper medical examination/attention.”

The victim also narrated her experience while living with the suspect, adding that the lecturer assaulted her sexually for more than six months.

She said: “I was living in the village with my mother. My daddy brought me to live with Prof in Abakaliki. Since June this year, the Prof has been disturbing me. He always comes into my room and does what I don’t like.

“One day around 2am, I ran to my father at the security house and told him that Prof was pressing my breast. My father told me to go back, that he will talk with him in the morning. Sometimes, I will wake up and see myself naked.

“The other day, somebody was touching me at midnight. I woke up, put on the light and saw Prof lying on my bed naked. He tried to touch me but I slapped him and pushed him out of my room. I was crying.

“One day, I woke up and my bed was soaked with blood. I didn’t know what happened. I told my father in the morning but he didn’t do anything. He used to tell me that if I leave Prof’s house, who will pay my school fees? That is how the Prof has continued to disturb me until I told my aunty in the school because I don’t like that nonsense Prof is doing.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, Mrs Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident.

She added that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aliyu Garba, has ordered a discreet investigation into the matter.

Mrs Odah said: “The suspect of the alleged case of rape is in Police custody now. The CP has ordered a discreet investigation into the matter, we are while awaiting the medical screening/report of the victim.”

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