The police in Anambra State on Thursday arraigned a 27-year-old bricklayer, Chukwuemeka Uwalaka, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl.

The defendant appeared before the state’s Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka, the state capital.

He was arraigned on one-count charge of defilement brought against him, which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Chinyere Okechukwu, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Aug. 17, Awka-Etiti in the Idemili South Local Government Area.

She said, “The complainant, Mrs Chinasa Okoye, who is the mother of the 12-year-old girl, said she received a call from someone who identified himself as a member of the vigilance group. According to her, members of the vigilance group told her they caught the defendant having carnal knowledge of her daughter. She said the matter was later reported at the police.’’

Ms Okechukwu said the offence contravened Sections 130(2) (a) (b) of the Administration Criminal Justice Law, 2022.

The defendant, however, told the court that he didn’t know the girl, stating that he had a girlfriend and would never be involved with a minor.

He also informed the court that he did not make any statement at the police station.

The Chief Magistrate, U.E. Onochie, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum.

Onochie adjourned the case until September 10 for report of compliance. 

(NAN)