A man, Emeka Ihekwugba, accused of having carnal knowledge of a 14 year-old girl ( name withheld) has been granted N500,000 bail by a Magistrate Court in Imo State.
Ihekwugba, who is said to have recently returned from overseas was arraigned by the police in the state before a magistrate, Adaora Ariche on two count charges.
The count charges preferred against him by Samson Obodo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, legal department of the command read in part,” that you, Emeka Ihekwugba male on the 24th of April 2025, at about 1800hours ( 6pm) at Obinihu Nkwerre, triable in the Owerri magistrate District did with intent to have carnal knowledge of one ( name withheld) under the age of 18 years took her out of her mother’s custody and protection or any other person having the lawful care or charge of her and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 225 of the Criminal Code “C38” laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Imo state.
“That you Emeka Ihekwugba male on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magistrate District did attempt to have unlawful carnal knowledge of one ( name withheld) female under the age of 18 years in your house against her wish and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 221 of the Criminal Code C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Imo state.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, as his counsel immediately sought for his bail which the prosecution counsel didn’t oppose.
Ruling on the bail application, the magistrate granted him N500, 000 bail bond with a reliable surety resident within the jurisdiction of the court, two passport photos and means of identification which must be submitted to the court.
The magistrate who adjourned the matter to July 1, granted the application made by the state ministry of justice for the case file to be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions ,DPP in the state.
The state chapter of International Federation of Women Lawyers and other Civil Rights Organizations announced appearances in the matter.
The mother of the minor,Mrs Nkechinyere Josiah had on May 1 visited a Human Rights Organization, Stand For Humanity Foundation, beaconing on the organization to help her ensure that her daughter got justice.
She had told the founder of the organization, Chidiebube Okeoma, that medical report from police clinic in Owerri showed that her daughter was defiled.
Okeoma, championed a media advocacy which went viral, calling on the state commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, state ministry of justice, ministry of women affairs, wife of the governor of the state, Chioma Uzodinma and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons , NAPTIP to step into the matter and ensure that justice was served.
The minor also narrated to the activist journalist how the accused allegedly lured her into his bedroom, allegedly drugged and defiled her.
