An Anambra State Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Offences Court in Awka on Thursday remanded a 16-year-old boy over the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl.

The teenager faces a one-count charge of defilement.

The Chief Magistrate, U.E. Onochie, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Awka Correctional Facility.

She adjourned the case until August 12 for hearing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Chinyere Okechukwu, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on June 22 in Achalla-Agu village, Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

Ms Okechukwu stated that the girl, who lives with her guardian in the same compound as the defendant, was allegedly defiled by the defendant.

She said the matter came to light after the girl reported it to her guardian.

The prosecutor said a medical examination conducted at the Federal Medical Centre, Onitsha, confirmed that the girl had been defiled.

Ms Okechukwu said the offence contravened Section 34(2) of the Anambra State Child Rights Law, 2004.

She urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pursuant to Section 130(2)(a)(b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2022. 

(NAN)