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

It was gathered that the suspect said to be a seminarian in the Anglican Communion, committed the act in the Amanuke community, Awka North Local Government Area in Anambra State.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the Media Aide to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, said 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 search 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 part.

“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 it was the work of the devil according to him.

“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 plate for him.

“She explained that after she had finished washing the plate, 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,” it said.

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 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 Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku Awka for further treatment,” the statement added.

As of the time of this report, the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation and consequently charged the case to court. (The PUNCH)

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