An Abakaliki Chief Magistrate Court has ordered that 29-year-old Chikodili Igboji, accused of raping Mrs. Chinyere Igwe, a 50-year-old widow, be remanded at a correctional facility.
The Magistrate, Chinedu Agama-Agama issued an order for Igboji’s remand on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, after turning down his request for bail.
Igboji is charged with one count of sexual assault, allegedly committed on October 5 at Udenyi village, Izzo Imoha, in the Ezza North local government area of Ebonyi.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him in court.
In his bail application, the defendant’s attorney, Francis Nwelom, emphasized his innocence.
However, Insp. Stanley Ngene, the prosecution attorney, objected to the bail request and asked the court to remand the defendant.
Ngene informed the court that the crime is punishable by section 358 of the 2009 Ebonyi State of Nigeria’s CAP 33 vol. 1 statutes, criminal code.
After the court session, the victim, a mother of six, told reporters about her trauma, saying that the defendant had come to her home at night carrying a knife.
She said the defendant had woken her up from sleep, grabbed her, and threatened to murder her if she said anything.
“I was afraid and started shivering. I managed to ask him, what was my offence? I pleaded with him to have mercy on me that I have no husband and I have six children. Please. He pushed me, raped me and went away with my phone and my hard-earned N20, 000,” she said.
The victim, who is a farmer, said she wants justice.
“I am begging the court to ensure that the defendant suffers in prison. He should receive his punishment accordingly,” she pleaded.
“I also want the government at all levels, particularly Governor Francis Nwifuru, as well as good-spirited individuals, to come to my aid. I am from the warring community of Ezza-Effium and my children have been out of school. We ran out of my community due to the lingering crisis in the area.”
