The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka, Anambra State, has ordered the remand of 35-year-old civil servant, Joseph Chigbo, in a correctional centre for allegedly defiling his friend’s five-year-old girl.

The Magistrate, U.E. Onochie, ordered the remand of Chigbo after his arraignment on one-count charge of defilement brought against him.

She adjourned the case until December 8 for hearing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Inspector Chinyere Okechukwu, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on July 13, at Ezinifite in the Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

Ms Okeckukwu told the court that the case was reported on July 13 by the father of the five-year-old girl.

She said, “He stated that he was in his backyard washing breadfruit on the said date when he heard his friend, the defendant, talking with his daughter. After a while, he realized he could no longer hear their voices. Concerned, he went to check and discovered that the door to his room was open. He said he went in and saw his friend naked and holding his penis while his daughter was laying naked on the bed. After medical examination at the General Hospital Ekwulobia, a medical practitioner confirm that the girl had been defiled.’’

 She said the offences contravened Sections 130(2) (a) (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2022.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

(NAN)