A 26-year-old man, Jonathan Okoronkwo, has been remanded in prison custody for allegedly defiling a three-year-old girl in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.
The defendant appeared before the Chief Magistrates Court 2 in Umuahia on a one-count charge of child defilement, which allegedly occurred on March 15, 2025, at Ugwuafor Arochukwu.
According to police prosecutor Chinyeaka Njoku, Okoronkwo's actions violated Section 7, sub-sections 1 and 2 of the Abia State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law of 2019.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Court Denies Bail Application
Despite efforts by defense counsel Mr. Okocha to secure bail, arguing that his client would not evade trial and had credible individuals willing to stand as sureties, the prosecutor successfully objected to the application.
The Chief Magistrate ordered Okoronkwo's remand at Afara Correctional Centre in Umuahia, citing the gravity of the offense and the severity of potential punishment if convicted.
In her ruling, the magistrate noted that such crimes are "quite rampant in society" and that the maximum punishment upon conviction raised concerns about the defendant potentially evading trial.
The court had earlier assumed jurisdiction under Section 100 of the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law. The case was adjourned to June 26, 2025, for further mention.
Victim's Mother Alleges STD Transmission
In an interview following the court proceedings, the victim's mother, Onyinyechi Abia, made serious allegations against the defendant. She claimed that Okoronkwo had infected her daughter with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), revealing that the child has been undergoing treatment for these infections since the incident.
"I have been treating the infections ever since," Abia stated, calling for justice to be served in the matter as a deterrent to others who might contemplate similar acts.
The case has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of child sexual abuse in Nigeria, particularly in light of the VAPP Law which was enacted to provide greater protection for vulnerable individuals.
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