Anambra State Cordinator of Child Protection Network, CPN, Mrs Eucharia Anaekwe, has commended the EU and International IDEA for their technical support through justice reforms, training and case pick ups, saying that they were really helpful in securing judgement in a case brought against a security personnel, one Michael Okoi, aged 23, who on 11th May 2024 at a Filling Station along Onitsha – Asaba Expressway, Upper Iweka, allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 17yr-old girl hawking “Okpa” at the area, offence contrary to Section 3(2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State, 2017.
For taking advantage of vulnerability of the “young naïve girl who was on a survival quest in this harsh economy to ravage her womanhood”, the Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting at Awka sentenced the perpetrator, Michael, to life imprisonment on count 1, and fined him two hundred thousand naira each on counts 2 and 3.
Delivering judgement in the 4-count charge brought against the defendant; which includes compelling the victim by threat to engage in sexual conduct with him to the detriment of her psychological well-being, as well as willfully and unlawfully inflicting injury on her, the court presided over by Justice Peace Otti, against the Defense Counsel’s argument, ruled that the 17yr-old girl is incapable of giving sexual consent under Section 34 of the Child Right Laws of Anambra State, 2004, and that it was immaterial that the perpetrator thought the victim was above the age of a child.
When asked to say why he should be given a lesser sentence after the court found him guilty as charged, Michael insisted he didn’t commit the offense, and that his confessional statements at different police stations were made under duress.
Reacting to the judgement, the Anambra CPN Coordinator, Mrs Anaekwe, gave kudos to the EU and International IDEA for supporting the group through the ROLAC II project, appreciated the state government for providing enabling environment for the project to thrive, and the Executive Director of Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development, Mrs Ugochi Freeman; also of the CPN, for picking up the case and following it up till the victim secured justice.
“Infact, I think this is one of our cases that has received the fastest dispensation of justice. Thanks to the presiding Judge and Magistrate at the Special Courts.”
Mrs Freeman, on her part, commended Barrister Chinelo Akora; from the Department of Public Prosecution, Anambra State Ministry of Justice, for her dedication in prosecuting the matter.
Earlier, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, described the judgement as landmark; one that sends a signal that the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration has zero tolerance for all forms of gender-based violence in the state.
Contributing, the Anambra State FIDA Chairperson, Barrister Amara Muojeke, said the life sentence judgement is spectacular and ensures deterrence.