Court Remands Cleric For Defiling 12-Year-Old Girl In Owerri

Emeka Michael, a 30-year-old self-described pastor, was remanded on Friday by a Chief Magistrate Court in Owerri, Imo State, presided over by Obinna Njemanze, for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl who was visiting him during the holidays.

The Chief Magistrate declined to hear the case but relied on Section 89 (b) of the Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2020 to consider the defense attorney, J. S. Nwankwo Esq.,’s oral bail application.
Because of the seriousness of the offense, the State’s attorney, Nkechi Iwuoha, contested the bail request and emphasized that the defense attorney had not shown any compelling evidence or unique circumstances to support the grant of bail to the accused.

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The Court in its ruling, refused the bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Correctional Center Owerri and adjourned the matter to October 5, 2023, for the Director of Public Prosecutions’ report.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA Nigeria, Imo State Branch was represented in the matter by the Vice Chairperson, Mrs Phil Amaefule, the Secretary, Mrs Chinyere Iwunna, and the Financial Secretary, Mrs Nancy Nwabia.
The victim, a 12-year-old girl and the six-year-old brother hail from Anambra State, but were on holiday in the house of the accused at Naze in Owerri North LGA of Imo State.

The girl escaped from the accused’s house after being sexually abused and was rescued and taken to the Police by a good Nigerian through an Owerri-based radio station.
The attention of FIDA Imo Chairperson, Joy Nwosu-Azuama was drawn to the poor girl’s plight.

The Chairperson and her proactive EXCO members immediately swung into action to ensure justice for the little girl.

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