The 29-year-old Chikodili Igboji, who is charged with raping the 50-year-old widow Mrs. Chinyere Igwe, has been placed under detention at a correctional facility by an Abakaliki Chief Magistrate Court.
On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, the Magistrate, Chinedu Agama-Agama, denied Igboji’s request for bail and instead issued an order for his remand.
In the Ezza North local government region of Ebonyi, specifically at Udenyi village, Izzo Imoha, on October 5, Igboji is accused of one count of sexual assault.
When the charge was read to him in court, he entered a not guilty plea.
The defendant’s lawyer, Francis Nwelom, highlighted his innocence in his bail application.
The prosecution’s lawyer, Insp. Stanley Ngene, challenged the bail motion and requested that the prisoner be placed under arrest.
Ngene told the court that the offence is covered by section 358 of the 2009 CAP 33 vol. 1 statutes, which is the criminal code of the Ebonyi State of Nigeria.
Following the court hearing, the traumatised mother of six spoke to media about the defendant’s nighttime knife attack on her home.
She said the defendant had woken her up from sleep, grabbed her, and threatened to murder her if she said anything.
“I was afraid and started shivering. I managed to ask him, what was my offence? I pleaded with him to have mercy on me that I have no husband and I have six children. Please. He pushed me, raped me and went away with my phone and my hard-earned N20, 000,” she said.
The victim, who is a farmer, said she wants justice.
“I am begging the court to ensure that the defendant suffers in prison. He should receive his punishment accordingly,” she pleaded.
“I also want the government at all levels, particularly Governor Francis Nwifuru, as well as good-spirited individuals, to come to my aid. I am from the warring community of Ezza-Effium and my children have been out of school. We ran out of my community due to the lingering crisis in the area.”