CHILD ABUSE: "PLEASE COMMENCE TRIAL WITHOUT DELAY NOW THAT ADACHUKWU IS IN POLICE NET" - ENUGU DEPUTY MINORITY LEADER, ENEH PLEADS WITH ANAMBRA GOVT.

CHILD ABUSE: "PLEASE COMMENCE TRIAL WITHOUT DELAY NOW THAT ADACHUKWU IS IN POLICE NET" - ENUGU DEPUTY MINORITY LEADER, ENEH PLEADS WITH ANAMBRA GOVT

Published by JANE-CARESTV, Friday February 16, 2024.

Mrs Adachukwu Cukelu-Okafor, a female lawyer, pastor, and mother of three who allegedly abused an 11-year-old housemaid in her custody, has finally been arrested by the police.

Recall that JANE-CARESTV had earlier reported that the Deputy Minority leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly and Member representing Awgu North Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mrs Jane Eneh (JP), on receiving a report of the abuse incident which went viral on social media, visited the Anambra hospital on wednesday, February 7, 2024, where the live-in maid, Happiness Nwafor, was receiving medical attention to; ascertain the situation of things, offer financial support to the family, among other things. 

While interacting with the little girl, during her visit to the hospital, Happiness alleged that her madam used a hot-iron and knife on her in just two weeks of her stay. 

It was further gathered during the interaction that the suspect allegedly burnt the little girl's clothes and dropped her stark naked with her aunt, Ifeoma Muoghalu. 

"The case, which has ignited different reactions from members of the public, has taken a significant turn when men of the Nigerian police force, from the Anambra State Police Command arrested Mrs Okafor recently, following a viral outcry over the abuse.

Following a progress report received from the girl's mother, Mrs Nwanneka Nwafor, when a team of policemen from the Anambra State Police Command, together with Adachukwu's lawyer, Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo, visited the hospital on thursday, February 15, where happiness is currently receiving medical attention, to take some statement, the deputy minority leader expressed joy over the new development. 

Speaking with JANE-CARESTV shortly after the news of Adachukwu's arrest broke out, the deputy minority leader begs the Anambra State commissioner of police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, to as a matter of necessity and public interest commence the process of trial of Mrs Okafor without delay, in line with extant law on Child's Right Act (2003) and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2017) which has long been domesticated in Anambra, together with other laws against abuse and violence, in giving justice to the little girl.

Speaking further, the deputy minority leader said, "When a lawyer becomes lawless, it goes a long way to paint an ugly picture that we are indirectly building a society of lawlessness."

If the suspect could boast that "nothing will happen because she is a lawyer," as quoted by her neighbours, the general public who are anxiously waiting to see when the suspect would be arrested and brought to book for her crime, are all having their ears and eyes wide open to see how the case will end. 

"I, therefore, plead with the Anambra state government not to please renege on its promises when the news of Mrs Adachukwu Cukelu-Okafor who visibly violated the young girl left in her custody went viral on social media, that abuse or violation of minors and vulnerable persons will not be tolerated in Anambra state. As a mother who knows the pains of childbirth, I am begging on Gov. Soludo-led administration to do its best in ensuring that justice is served," Mrs Eneh pleads. 

#OkolikeMichael

Media Assistant to the Deputy Minority Leader ENHA.