The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court, seated at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Awka, Anambra State, has refused bail to Mrs. Adachukwu Okafor, a lawyer accused of physically assaulting her 11-year-old housekeeper. Instead, the court has ordered her remand at the State Criminal and Investigative Department custody in Awka.
Okafor, a resident of Chris Igwilo Street, Akapka GRA, Onitsha, Anambra State, was brought before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka on Wednesday on a two-count charge.
Presided over by Her Worship, Genevieve Osakwe, Chief Magistrate Grade 1, Awka, the court heard allegations that Okafor used objects such as a broken bottle, knife, and electric iron to harm her house help, identified as Happiness Nwafor, purportedly in response to an incident involving her daughter.
The charges primarily revolve around willfully inflicting physical injuries on the body of Happiness Nwafor, an offense punishable under Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 2017. The charges were explained to the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.
Okafor, who had reportedly been evading authorities, surrendered herself to the state police command in Awka after the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, placed a N2m bounty on anyone with information about her whereabouts.
The court denied the bail application made by the defendant’s counsel, Chijioke Nwankwo, adjourning the matter till February 28, 2024, for ruling.
Nwankwo, speaking to journalists after the court session, stated that he was unaware of any bounty on Okafor and promptly took her to the police upon being contacted for legal representation. He criticized the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare for what he perceived as prejudicial actions that could undermine the case.
The victim, an 11-year-old, has been discharged from the hospital and has also appeared in court.
Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, expressed confidence in the court’s ability to dispense justice. She announced plans for a media sensitization program to educate the public about the dangers of child abuse and encouraged everyone to contribute to positive social change by rejecting such vices.