Imo community cries out for justice over defilement of minor by 60 year old man
..Accuses Police of compromise
By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Mr. Cornelius Edomobi Dike of Amainyi Nta Autonomous Community in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, says that the ancient community known for peace and stability is now engulfed with palpable fear, suspense,tension, wranglings and bickering as the revered community is demanding for justice from Nigerian Police Force against their son, Mr Okechukwu Azuagu, a 60 year old man who allegedly defiled one, Miss. Nmesoma Chiwike, a 9 year old primary school daughter of Mr. Jude Chiwike both from Omulo village of the embattled autonomous community.
Edomobi Dike, who’s an eye witness and one of the community’s leaders informed Newstap.com.ng on Sunday that the incident happened about two weeks ago and the community is currently poised for show of shame that may likely cause breakdown of law and order, if their demand for justice and cleansing of their land is not urgently addressed, even as they are accusing the State Police Command of possible compromise with the suspect.
The community leader said it point blank that, “the perceived compromise of the Police may have influenced them for the quick granting of bail to the suspect and fueled apprehension”.
He lamented that the suspect feels unperturbed as he allegedly goes about bragging and the Command seemed reluctant to prosecute the criminal matter despite interventions of FIDA and other human rights groups.
This he said to have prompted the community to petition the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 9, Umuahia asking for immediate transfer and prosecution of the matter.
A copy of the petition he availed to Newstap.com.ng is captioned, Re: Defilement of a nine (9) years old child, Miss. Nmesoma Chiwike by one, Mr. Okechukwu Azuagu (60) years old is dated 11/11/2025 and written through Onuoha, Onuoha Law Firm (Ogbuiyi Chambers), Aba and signed by Sir, OPJ Ogbuji Esq
Dike Edomobi further informed that the suspect who’s an owner of provision store within the village seems to have taken the advantage of his business and poverty to lure the underaged but gullible girls with consumable goods as gifts and subsequently abused them sexually.
He also alleged that the suspect with his cohorts seems to have engaged with the act for long as information is filtering in, and in the recent past, some parents have been courageous enough to have confronted him of abusing their daughters sexually based on confessions, but unfortunately, due to poverty and probably the societal scars associated with such issue, the victims are often sceptical in prosecuting the matter.
The eye witness emphatically stated that the community is also suspicious that the accused is probably using the sexual escapedes with the under aged girls for diabolical purposes.
”Ths is why, the community is seriously demanding for justice over the latest issue that have subjected the community into undue apprehension, tension and suspense” he emphasized.
He also pointed out that, on the day of the incident, some youths wanted to unleash jungle justice on the suspect and his provision store, but fortunately, some people called the Police at Isinweke Police Station and they hurriedly came and calmed the tensed situation, arrested and hurriedly whisked off the suspect to their station, where both the suspect and the community members made statements.
“Following the perceived tension, the matter was hurriedly transferred to the Department of Quick Response, CID Section of the State Police Command, Owerri with Mr.Kings David, as Investigation Police Officer, IPO”.
The community he said were not impressed over the Police lackadaisical attitude in prosecuting the case and how quickly the suspect was granted bail.
According to him,”that is a serious criminal offence, not one that the Police, family, or community can ever settled privately. Settlement or withdrawal is not allowed in accordance with the nation’s law.
”This offence is a heinous crime and is considered a crime against the State, not a private dispute. Therefore, the police cannot settle it.The family cannot withdraw it. The Attorney-General rarely and almost never discontinues such cases because of the gravity of the offense.
”Any Police officer or community leader who “settles” or takes money to close such a case is committing a crime, obstruction of justice and compounding a felony.
Even if the victim’s family “forgives” the man, the State must still prosecute the matter.
“That is a serious criminal offence not one that the Police, family, or community can ever “settle privately” he insisted.
It’s pertinent to recall that according to 1999 Nigerian constitution and as amended, defilement is charged under the criminal law Section 1(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015 (if it happened in the FCT or in a state that has domesticated it like Imo), or section 218 of the Criminal Code Act (for Southern States), or section 283 of the Penal Code (for Northern States).
Furthermore, the penalties for rape or defilement of a girl under 13 years is handled under Section 218 of the Criminal Code, which handled punishment by life imprisonment, similarly, under the VAPP Act, defilement or rape carries a penalty of life imprisonment (and can include payment of compensation to the survivor).
While under the Penal Code (Northern states), rape or defilement of a minor can carry life imprisonment or death, depending on the state’s laws (for example, some Sharia-based states prescribe the death penalty).
He reemphasised that the 9-year-old child is a minor and is being protected under: The Child’s Rights Act (CRA) 2003.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), and international conventions Nigeria has signed (like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child).
These laws he stated guarantees the child
protection from sexual abuse and exploitation, right to dignity, safety, and justice, access to medical care, counselling, and rehabilitation.
