A 27-year-old bricklayer, Chukwuemeka Uwalaka, was on Thursday arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka, Anambra State, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl.
Uwalaka, who was docked on a one-count charge of defilement, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Chinyere Okechukwu, told the court that the offence was committed on August 17 at Awka-Etiti in Idemili South Local Government Area.
“The complainant, Mrs. Chinasa Okoye, who is the mother of the 12-year-old girl, said she received a call from someone who identified himself as a member of the vigilance group.
“According to her, the member of the vigilance group told her they caught the defendant having canal knowledge of her daughter.
“She said the matter was later reported at the police,” Okechukwu told the court.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 130(2) (a) (b) of the Administration Criminal Justice Law, 2022.
However, the defendant denied the allegation, insisting he does not know the girl.
“I have a girlfriend and would never be involved with a minor,” Uwalaka told the court, adding that he did not make any statement at the police station.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. U.E. Onochie, granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case to September 10 for report of compliance.
