March 19, 2024

An Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered that two men be remanded for allegedly defiling an 11-year-old girl in Ebonyi.

The police charged Okpara Chidiebere, 36, Nwali Joseph, 37 with conspiracy and defilement.

Magistrate Lillian Ogodo, who did not take the plea of the suspects for want in jurisdiction.

She also rejected the bail application moved by the Defence Counsel.

Ogodo ordered they should be remanded in Abakaliki Correctional Centre, as the court lack jurisdiction to entertain the charges.

She, therefore adjourned the case until April 5 for Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Earlier, ASP Eze Ndubuaku, Prosecutor Counsel told the court that Chidiebere committed the offence on Feb. 18 in Ugwuachara, Ebonyi local government area of the state.

Ndubuaku, also explained that Joseph committed the offence sometime in November 2023, his his salon shop, Police Junction, Ugwuachara in the area.

He pointed that the offences are punishable under section 4 (2) (1) VAPP Laws of Ebonyi 2018.

Mr Emeka Odom, Defence Counsel prayed the court to grant his client ls bail, noting that bail remains a constitutional matter.(NAN)