Court Remands Man for Allegedly Defiling 3-Year-old Girl in Abia

A 26-year-old man, Jonathan Okoronkwo, has been remanded at the Afara Correctional Centre, Umuahia, for allegedly defiling a three-year-old girl.

The defendant is standing trial on a one-count charge bordering on child defilement before the Chief Magistrates Court 2 sitting in Umuahia.

The police prosecutor, Chinyeaka Njoku, informed the court that the incident occurred on March 15, 2025, at Ugwuafor Arochukwu, in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.

The defendant was said to have had carnal knowledge of the minor, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 7 sub 1 and sub 2 of the Abia State Violent Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2019.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to him in court.

In a bail application, the defence counsel, Barr. Lawyer Okocha, argued that his client would not jump bail, and that he has individuals with integrity to stand as sureties,

The prosecutor, however, urged the court not to grant him bail but to remand the defendant at the Afara Correctional Centre, Umuahia considering the gravity of the offence and the weight of punishment if found guilty.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate granted the request of the prosecutor and ordered that the defendant be remanded at Afara Correctional Centre, Umuahia.

The Chief Magistrate ruled that the crime for which he is being accused is quite rampant in the society, adding that considering that the crime carries maximum punishment when convicted there is the likelihood of the accused evading trial.

The matter was adjourned till June 26, 2025, for further mention.

Earlier, the court had assumed jurisdiction under section 100 of the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, deeming the offence to have been committed in Umuahia.

In an interview, the victim’s mother, Onyinyechi Abia while narrating her ordeal said the suspect infected the little girl with Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs, adding that she has been treating the infections ever since.

She called for justice to be done in the matter to serve as a deterrent to others.