A 30-year-old self-acclaimed cleric, Emeka Michael has been remanded for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl who was in his house on holidays.
According to The PUNCH, he was remanded by a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, presided over by Obinna Njemanze, on Friday.
The presiding judge rejected the authority to adjudicate on the case, but invoked Section 89 (b) of the Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2020 in order to consider the verbal request for bail made by the defence attorney, J. S Nwankwo Esq.
The State’s representative, Nkechi Iwuoha, expressed opposition to the bail application by highlighting the gravity of the offence. Additionally, it was noted that the defence counsel failed to present any exceptional circumstances or compelling justifications that would justify granting bail to the accused individual.
The court, in its decision, denied the bail request and directed that the defendant be detained in the Correctional Centre Owerri. Furthermore, the court set the next hearing for October 5, 2023, to await the report from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Phil Amaefule, the Secretary, Mrs. Chinyere Iwunna, and the Financial Secretary, Mrs. Nancy Nwabia, all represented the International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA Nigeria, Imo State Branch, in the case.
The victim, a 12-year-old girl, and her six-year-old brother are Anambra State residents who were on vacation at the accused’s home in Naze, Owerri North LGA, Imo State.
After being sexually molested, the girl escaped from the accused’s house and was rescued and taken to the police by a decent Nigerian via an Owerri-based radio station.
The unfortunate girl’s situation caught the notice of Joy Nwosu-Azuama, Chairperson of FIDA Imo.
To guarantee that the young girl received justice, the Chairperson and her diligent EXCO members sprang into action right away.
