An Anambra State court has ordered the remand of four men accused of raping and impregnating an 18-year-old woman with a mental disability.
The defendants are Christopher Nnamah, 54; Ndubuisi Ikechelu, 40; Chinecherem Emmanuel, 20; and Kennedy Udogu, 34.
They were arraigned on Thursday before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Offences Court in Awka. Each pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape.
Chief Magistrate U.E. Onochie ordered that they be held at the Awka Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned to August 5 for hearing.
Prosecutor Inspector Chinyere Okechukwu told the court that the alleged assaults happened at different times in Umuriam village, Nawfia, in Njikoka Local Government Area.
According to her, the defendants “lured and took advantage of the 18-year-old girl’s mental state to have canal knowledge of her.” The matter came to light after the girl’s guardian noticed she was pregnant and reported it.
“During questioning the teenager identified the defendants as being responsible for her condition,” Okechukwu said.
The prosecutor said the offence falls under Section 3(2) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Protection Law of Anambra State, 2017. She asked the court to remand the suspects under Section 130 (2) (a) (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2022.
The court granted the request and remanded all four defendants pending further proceedings.
