The Anambra State Government, in collaboration with security operatives, has arrested a 34-year-old man, Chukwudi Okoye, for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl in the Amanuke community, located in Awka North Local Government Area.
Okoye, who is reportedly a seminarian in the Anglican Communion, committed the crime in July, but it only came to light in August after a whistleblower alerted the authorities.
According to Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the Media Aide to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, the ministry acted swiftly once they were informed of the incident.
“The commissioner, through the security operatives, launched a search for the suspect, apprehended and brought him for interrogation before the law enforcement agents,” Ikeanyionwu said.
During his interrogation, Okoye admitted to sexually assaulting the victim but denied full penetration.
He claimed that he “only fingered the survivor because his manhood could not enter her private part.”
Despite his denial, he pleaded for forgiveness, stating that it was “the work of the devil” that led him to commit such an act.
The victim, a 10-year-old girl, recounted her ordeal, explaining that the assault took place on the day of her graduation ceremony. She stated that Okoye had called her and a friend to his house under the pretense of helping him wash plates. After they completed the task, he sent her friend away and then forced her onto his bed, where he sexually assaulted her.
“He discharged my friend and asked me to play with him before taking me to the bed where he removed my clothes and had carnal knowledge of me,” the victim said.
Fearful of retribution, the victim initially kept the assault a secret, as Okoye had threatened to harm her if she told anyone. However, the truth emerged when the girl fell seriously ill a week after the incident. Her grandmother, who noticed her deteriorating condition, confronted Okoye after learning that he was responsible for the attack.
The grandmother revealed, “I took my granddaughter to the suspect’s house after I learned that he was responsible for the act.”
In response, Okoye took the girl to the hospital, where she was referred to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku Awka, for further treatment.