The Anambra State House of Assembly has called for the immediate prosecution of a couple accused of subjecting a 10-year-old boy to severe abuse, urging the state government to strengthen efforts aimed at protecting children and enforcing existing child rights laws.
The resolution followed a motion moved during Thursday’s plenary by the member representing Onitsha North one Constituency, Hon. Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe.
Presenting the motion, Azikiwe noted that the Anambra State Child Rights Law of 2006 expressly prohibits child abuse, neglect, ill-treatment and exploitation, describing such acts as criminal offences under Sections 16 and 20 of the law.
She further explained that Sections 21 to 33 provide penalties for offences including unlawful sexual intercourse with a child, child trafficking, child labour, abduction and exposure of children to pornographic materials, thereby providing a legal framework for the prosecution of offenders.
According to her, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare is empowered under Part IV of the law to coordinate child protection, receive complaints and work with law enforcement agencies on investigations and prosecutions.
Barrister Azikiwe lamented the continued occurrence of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, child trafficking and other forms of violence against children across communities in the state, warning that delays in assessing reported cases and prosecuting offenders only deepen victims’ trauma and encourage impunity.
She therefore urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Ministry of Women and Social Development, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to carry out comprehensive assessments of reported child abuse cases and ensure prompt prosecution of offenders.
Supporting the motion, lawmakers including Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, Hon. Kingsley Udemezue, Hon. Fred Ezenwa, Hon. Tony Muobike, Hon. Jude Akpua, Hon. Obi Nweke, Hon. Emma Nwafor, Hon. Jude Ngobili and Hon. Golden Iloh condemned the alleged abuse, describing it as wicked, barbaric and unacceptable.
The lawmakers argued that the incident amounted to attempted murder and stressed the need to make an example of those responsible to deter similar acts in the future. They also called for a review of existing laws relating to child protection and urged parents who place their children in the care of others to closely monitor their welfare.
Presiding over the session, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, commended Azikiwe for sponsoring the motion and disclosed that he had personally visited the victim.
Rt. Hon. Udeze questioned what further measures the Assembly could take to prevent similar incidents, emphasizing the need to amend aspects of the Child Rights Law and introduce stronger regulations governing the care of children placed in other households.
He stated that the husband of the woman involved should also face investigation as the head of the household, while the landlord of the compound should be questioned regarding the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse.
The Speaker subsequently directed the House Committee on Judiciary to commence a review of the Child Rights Law, stressing that lawmakers have a responsibility to strengthen legal protections for children across the state.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the House adjourned plenary until Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
