Two Remanded For Allegedly Defiling 11-year-old Girl In Ebonyi

Two men were on Tuesday,  remanded in a correctional centre by an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court over the alleged defilement of an 11-year-old girl in Ebonyi.

The police charged Okpara Chidiebere, 36, and Nwali Joseph, 37 with conspiracy and defilement.

Magistrate Lillian Ogodo did not take the plea of the suspects for want in jurisdiction.

She also rejected the bail application moved by the Defence Counsel.

Ogodo ordered they should be remanded in Abakaliki Correctional Centre, as the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charges.

She adjourned the case until April 5 for the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Earlier, ASP Eze Ndubuaku, the Prosecutor Counsel informed the court that Chidiebere committed the offence on February 18 in Ugwuachara, Ebonyi local government area of the state.

Ndubuaku, also explained that Joseph committed the offence sometime in November 2023, at his salon, Police Junction, Ugwuachara in the area.

He pointed out that the offences are punishable under section 4 (2) (1) VAPP Laws of Ebonyi 2018.

Mr Emeka Odom, Defence Counsel prayed the court to grant his client bail, noting that bail remains a constitutional matter.