The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State has adjourned ruling on whether it has jurisdiction to hear a case of 28 year old Chinonso Agbasi accused of conspiring with others now at large to traffick and procure a 15 year old girl child (name withheld) from Isiagu, Awka South LGA of Anambra State to Alafia Street in Coker Area of Lagos State for Labour and sexual exploitations.
In a seven-count charge brought before the court, the defendant was also accused of procuring abortion on the girl child after realizing that she was six weeks pregnant, as well as inflicting physical injuries on the victim.
Complainant and Prosecution witness in the matter, Mr. Chibuzo Obidike had informed the court that through the victim’s school teacher in Lagos, the family was informed that the girl child bled for nine days, and upon interrogation, she confessed to have been raped by the accused.
He further stated that when the girl child complained of illness, the accused, Chinonso Agbasi, took her to a nurse who gave her drugs that made her start bleeding from her private part.
After listening to presentations from Prosecution and Defense counsels on whether or not the court has jurisdiction over the matter, the court adjourned to 14th July, 2023 for determination.
Meanwhile, police investigation revealed that one nurse Ngozi; who was a chemist at Coker Area Orile, Lagos helped Chinonso Agbasi in procuring abortion on the girl child, and upon arrest, the accused, Chinonso Agbasi volunteered his confessional statement where he admitted the allegation of the complainant.
ANN gathered that the offences are punishable under section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code CAP 36 Volume II Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991, section 13 (1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2015, section 16 (1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2015, section 34 (2) of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State of Nig 2004, section 31(1)(d) and (3) of the the Child Rights Law of Anambra State of Nigeria 2004, section 214 of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Vol. II, Revised Laws Anambra State of Nigeria 1991, and section 4 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Law of Anambra State.
