By Luchee Igwe
Chukwuka Odili, a 35-year-old man, on Wednesday appeared before the Children and Sexual Offences Court sitting in Amawbia, Anambra for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old girl and applying pepper on her private part.
The accused, who hails from Aguluezechukwu in Aguata local government area of Anambra state, is facing a nine-count charge of sexual abuse, unlawful assault, stealing and infliction of physical injury.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Anayo Nwano, told the court that the offences were committed on July 28 at Aguluezechukwu.
“The accused and others at large sexually abused a 17-year-old girl by touching and applying pepper to her private part.
“He emotionally abused her and unlawfully assaulted her by stripping her naked, tying her hands and legs, flogging her to stupor with peppered cane and inflicting injuries on her body.
“He also deprived her of her liberty and stole her phone with bag containing unidentified sum of money,” he said.
The offences contravened Sections 495, 258, 255 and and 353 of the of the Criminal Code CAP 36 Vol. 2 Revised law of Anambra State 1991.
The offences are also punishable under Sections 4, 12 and 16 Sub Section 1 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law of Anambra State 2017 and Section 35 Sub Section 2 of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State 2004.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the nine-count charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Genevieve Osakwe, ordered that the accused be remanded in police custody.
She adjourned the case until Sept. 21.
