Anambra: 25-year-old man arraigned for raping four underage boys

…One other docked for allegedly assaulting teenage girl

A 25-year-old man, Chidiebere Okorie, was arraigned   before a Children and Sexual Offences Court in Amawbia, Anambra on Wednesday for raping four underage boys.

The victims are aged between eight years and 14 years.

Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs Amara Amilo, told the court that Okorie of Ogboji town in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra committed the offence on July 10.

She said the accused inserted his penis into the anuses of the boys and thereby committed an offence punishable under the Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law of Anambra 2017.

Okorie pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of sexual assault after which his counsel prayed the court to grant him bail.

Mrs Amilo, however, opposed the bail application and argued that the offence committed was a grievous one.

Presiding Chief Magistrate Genevieve Osakwe ordered that the accused be remanded at a correctional centre and adjourned hearing to September 21.

Similarly, a 35-year-old man, Odili Chukwuka, was arraigned before the Children and Sexual Offences Court sitting in Amawbia, Anambra on Wednesday for alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl.

Chukwuka of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area of the state faced a nine-count charge of sexual abuse, unlawful assault, stealing and infliction of bodily injury.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prosecuting Insp Anayo Nwano told the court that the offences were committed on July 28 at Aguluezechukwu.

“The accused and others still at large sexually abused a 17-year-old girl by touching and applying pepper to her private parts.

“He abused her emotionally and verbally, assaulted her unlawfully by stripping her naked, tying her hands and legs, and flogging her to stupor with peppered cane.

“Chukwuka also deprived his victim of her liberty and stole her phone and a bag containing unspecified sum of money,’’ Nwano told the court.

He said the offences contravened the Criminal Code of Anambra State 1991, the Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law of Anambra 2017 and the Child Rights Law of Anambra State 2004.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs Genevieve Osakwe, ordered that the accused be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case to September 21 for mention.