The Anambra State Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Offences Court sitting in Awka, on Thursday, remanded a businessman and three others over allegations that they raped and impregnated an 18-year-old mentally challenged girl.

The defendants, Christopher Nnamah, 54; Ndubuisi Ikechelu, 40; Chinecherem Emmanuel, 20; and Kennedy Udogu, 34, were arraigned before the court on a charge of rape.

They each pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Delivering the court’s ruling, Chief Magistrate U.E. Onochie ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre pending the hearing of the matter.

The judge subsequently adjourned the case until August 5 for hearing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Chinyere Okechukwu, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence at different times at Umuriam village, Nawfia, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Okechukwu alleged that the defendants lured the 18-year-old girl and took advantage of her mental condition to have carnal knowledge of her.

According to the prosecutor, the matter was reported after the girl’s guardian discovered that she was pregnant.

She said that during questioning, the teenager allegedly identified the defendants as those responsible for her condition.

The prosecutor told the court that the alleged offence is punishable under Section 3(2) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Protection Law of Anambra State, 2017.

She also urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility pursuant to Section 130(2)(a)(b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2022.

The court granted the prosecution’s request and ordered the remand of the four defendants.

The matter will continue on August 5.

(NAN)

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________

[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials

“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.

Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation

______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “How to use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion.” Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.