The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka, Anambra State, has remanded 46-year-old bricklayer, Rapuruchukwu Ezenandu, for allegedly defiling his 17-year-old daughter and infecting her with HIV.
The defendant is facing a one-count charge of defilement.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Insp. Chinyere Okechukwu, the offence occurred at Umudala village, Nanka community, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“On April 18, the girl’s uncle visited the village and took her to Lagos to continue her education.
“However, during the admission process, the school requested a medical report, which revealed that the girl was HIV positive.
“Upon interrogation, the girl revealed that her father (the accused) had been having sexual intercourse with her since she was 15 years old.
“The uncle later returned her to Anambra and confronted the accused, who reportedly admitted to having sexual relations with his daughter and infecting her with HIV.
“The matter was reported to the police. The accused admitted he was aware of his HIV status and had been on medication,” she said.
Okechukwu stated that the offence is punishable under Section 3(2) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Protection Law of Anambra State, 2017.
She prayed the court to remand the suspect at a correctional facility as provided under Section 130(2)(a)(b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2022.
The accused, however, pleaded for mercy, claiming it was the work of the devil. He said he had lost count of how many times he had carnal knowledge of his daughter.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs U.E. Onochie, ordered that the accused be remanded at the Awka Correctional Facility.
Onochie adjourned the case until June 17 for hearing.
