A 35-year-old woman, Mrs Añulika Nwokike Onyeanusi, has pleaded not guilty to a 14-count charge bordering on alleged rape, sexual abuse and exploitation of her two biological daughters, aged seven and nine, as well as their alleged use in pornographic performances.
The Anambra State Government brought the charges against the defendant over alleged incidents said to have occurred between November 2025 and September 2026 at No. 11, Ezego Ojoto Street, Akpaka GRA, Onitsha.
The charges were filed under various provisions of the Anambra State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017, and the Child’s Rights Law, 2006.
Counts one and two allege that the defendant intentionally penetrated the vagina, anus and mouth of her daughters with a sex toy, contrary to Section 3(2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017.
Counts three and four accuse her of knowingly and wilfully engaging in the same alleged acts, contrary to Section 27 of the law.
In counts five and six, the defendant is accused of using the children for the production of pornography and pornographic performances, contrary to Section 33(3) of the Child’s Rights Law, 2006.
Counts seven and eight border on alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of the children, contrary to Section 35(3) of the same law.
The remaining counts accuse the defendant of allegedly compelling the children to engage in sexual conduct to the detriment of their physical and psychological well-being; causing them emotional and psychological abuse; and wilfully placing them in fear of physical injury.
These allegations are contained in counts nine to 14, filed under Sections 7(1), 16(1) and 6(1), respectively, of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017.
The prosecution team was led by the Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions, Nneka Umeozulu, and other counsel from the Ministry of Justice, including members of the Civil Society and Gender-Based Violence Unit.
Following the defendant’s plea, Justice Peace Otti of the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court of the Anambra State High Court, Awka, adjourned the matter to November 27, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application.
Chikodili Nwaka-Ohuoha appeared for the defendant.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which remain allegations before the court.
