The Children Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka on Thursday remanded a 39-year-old bricklayer, at the correctional centre over alleged defilement of a 17-year-old girl.

The defendant, Friday Tunde, is standing trial on a one-count charge of defilement.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Inspector Chinyere Okechukwu, alleged that the defendant, a Togolese committed the offence at Umudioka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra.

She alleged that the girl was impregnated by the defendant while she was residing with her mother, her father’s former wife.

She alleged that when the child’s mother learnt of her daughters pregnancy, she sent the girl to live with her father.

“After the girl disclosed how she became pregnant, her father reported the matter to the police, leading to the defendant’s arrest,” she said.

The offence contravenes the provisions of section 3(2) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Protection Law of Anambra State of Nigeria, 2017.

Meanwhile, the defendant narrated to the court that the girl told him she was 19-year-old, adding that they had been dating since June 2025.

The prosecutor applied for a remand of the defendant at the Correctional Centre, citing the provisions of section 130(2) (a)(b) of the Administration Criminal Justice Law 2022.

The Chief Magistrate, U.E. Onochie, consequently, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre.

She adjourned the case until June 10, for hearing.

(NAN)