A Magistrate Court sitting in Owerri has granted N500,000 bail to one Emeka Ihekwugba, accused of having carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old girl, name withheld.
Ihekwugba, who is said to have recently returned from abroad, was arraigned by the police before a magistrate, Adaora Ariche, on a two-count charge.
The charges preferred against him read, “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 girl ( 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 and his counsel immediately sought his release on bail, which the prosecution did not oppose.
Ruling on the bail application, the magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N500,000, with a reliable surety resident within the jurisdiction of 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 mother of the minor, Mrs Nkechinyere Josiah, had urged a human rights organization, Stand For Humanity Foundation, to help her daughter get 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, through the foundation, 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 State Governor, 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 founder of the foundation, how the accused allegedly lured her into his bedroom, drugged and defiled her.
