A 47-year-old man, Anthony Onyeukwu, has been remanded in prison custody over the death of his 11-year-old houseboy, Goodluck John. Onyeukwu, who was arrested in Enugu, faces serious allegations of child abuse, and his case has sparked outrage in the community.
The incident came to light after a tip-off from the Ministry of Gender’s whistleblower channels, which suggested that Goodluck’s death resulted from abuse in the household where he worked. Ngozi Enih, the Commissioner of Gender, confirmed this in a statement on Sunday, stating that the state is committed to protecting children’s rights and combating child abuse.
“The arrest of Onyeukwu is part of Enugu State’s ongoing efforts to combat child abuse,” Enih said.
She also revealed that Onyeukwu had hastily buried Goodluck’s remains in Abia State without informing the authorities. Initially, Onyeukwu claimed that the boy died from an illness at the Park Lane Hospital in Enugu. However, records from the hospital contradicted this, showing no admission or deposition of the child’s body.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Calista Ifeanyi, argued during the arraignment that Onyeukwu’s actions are punishable under Enugu State’s Revised Criminal Code. Ifeanyi emphasized that the case underscores the state’s dedication to protecting children and preventing abuse, as outlined in the Child’s Rights and Responsibility Law of 2016.
According to the charge sheet, dated October 15, 2024, Onyeukwu allegedly killed Goodluck at his residence in Enugu, specifically at No. 4, Mike Onyeka Close, Loma Linda Extension, Maryland.
The charge states: “That you, Onyeukwu Anthony, ‘m’, on the 15th day of October 2024, at about 20:30 hours, did unlawfully kill one Goodluck John ‘m’ aged 11 years and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, CAP 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”
Onyeukwu was remanded in the Correctional Centre in Enugu after his arraignment last week. The Chief Magistrate has adjourned the case to November 20, 2024, for further proceedings, with a report from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Enugu, expected at that time.