BY DANIEL EFE
A Staff of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Mgbechi Wekwa aged 45 years has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate in Port Harcourt for an alleged unlawful and sexual abuse of sixteen year old girl.
Arraigning the suspect, the charge sheet read ,”that you Mgbechi Wekwa on 13th day of January 2021 at Rumuakwunde in Emohua local Government Area, but triable in PortHarcourt magisterial district did unlawfully and sexually abuse one Victoria Edwin ‘f’ 16 years old by inserting your penis into her vagina and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 32(1)(2) of the Child’s Right Act Cap. 50 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2003″.
The accused pleaded not guilty in all the charges.
After hearing the application for bail of the defendant by the defence Counsel Martina Okpeeholo, the Senior Magistrate, Gomba Osaro, adjourned for bail consideration for the defendant to Monday, 22nd day of February 2021 and remanded the defendant to Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
Speaking outside the Court room, Jane O. A. James (Mrs) a Lawyer in Port Harcourt,holding watching brief for the Complainant on behalf of Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign expressed displeasure that they watered down the charge to Section 32(1)(2) of Child’s Rights Act 2013, which is a charge of sexual abuse and exploitation instead of Section 31(1)(2) which states the definition and punishment for rape as is in this instant matter case.
It would be recalled that Mgbechi Wekwa, of Security Department of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt was alleged to have organised some unknown persons who abducted the 16 years old girl from Aluu in Ikwerre local government area and taken to Rumuakwunde in Emohua local government Council area of Rivers State and serially abused sexually.