Chinonso Nwaebonyi, a 30-year-old from the Izzi community in Ebonyi State, has been detained by security personnel in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl in Awka, the capital of Anambra State. The arrest followed a complaint filed by the child’s mother with the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
Ms. Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, media aide to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, provided details in a statement released on Thursday. The suspect initially denied the accusations during questioning but later admitted to the crime, although he claimed it occurred only once.
According to the statement, the seven-year-old girl, who had been playing with her twin brother at a nearby compound during their school holiday, reported that Nwaebonyi had sexually assaulted her multiple times, specifically on Mondays and Tuesdays. The abuse was discovered when the mother noticed swelling in her daughter’s private area after returning from work.
Upon learning of the abuse, the mother immediately contacted the suspect’s guardians and then sought medical help before reporting the incident to the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Nwaebonyi initially denied the allegations but later confessed to the crime. He claimed he did not use force, but merely asked the girl to lift her clothes and lie down.
The seven-year-old, born after her parents endured ten years of childlessness, is currently receiving care. The suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation and legal proceedings.
In response, Commissioner Ify Obinabo emphasized that Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has condemned the rise in child abuse cases despite ongoing efforts to combat them. The governor has pledged that those involved in such crimes will face severe consequences.
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015 criminalizes all forms of violence against women and girls, including rape and defilement, with penalties ranging from life imprisonment to a maximum of 14 years, depending on the severity of the offense and the offender’s age.
Anambra State has seen numerous arrests related to rape and defilement, with many cases currently awaiting prosecution in various courts.