Alleged cruelty to minor: Court orders housewife to open defence July 5

Justice Peter Kekemeke of an FCT High Court, Maitama on Thursday fixed July 5, for a housewife, Esther Nwatu, to open her defence in an alleged cruelty to a minor case.

The victim, a-13-year-old girl, employed a maid, was alleged to have been violently beaten by Nwatu.

She is now in the custody of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The judge fixed the date after NAPTIP brought the victim to the court for her birth parents to see her and talk to her as ordered on Tuesday.

Kekemeke admonished the parents of the victim who felt bad and complained that the agency denied them access to their child.

“Nobody is taking your child away from you. All that NAPTIP is doing is for the interest of the child, which is paramount.

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“NAPTIP and the government are not your enemies; government is taking time to give this child a good education that will make you proud of her later.

“Do not interrupt the education of the child,” he said.

The judge asked NAPTIP to always ensure adequate communication between the child and her parents.

“The problem is that you are not communicating enough with the parents.

“Draw them closer, allow them to see the child and to know the plans you have for her,” he said.

Kekemeke had on Tuesday ordered that the victim’s parents, Mr and Mrs Lazarus Ogbonna from Enugu State, should have access to their child.

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The victim’s parents, who did not have any legal representation, made a passionate appeal to the court to grant their request because they have not seen their child for seven years.

The judge said that the parents of the victim must have access to their child and also know what was going on with her and issued an order.

“Ensure that the child is brought out for the parents to see her between Tuesday and Thursday.

“Let them see their daughter and talk with her; whatever good you are doing, carry them along,” Kekemeke told NAPTIP.

At the resumed sitting on Thursday, the child was brought to the court and she was able to meet with her parents.

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She told the court “I am 18 years-old (today) and in Senior Secondary School two (SS2).”

The victim also told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she would like to be a medical doctor in future.

NAPTIP had alleged in its submission before the court that on or about July 7, 2016, a-14-year-old girl was beaten and injured by her “madam”, Nwatu in Orozo, Abuja.

It further alleged that Nwatu stripped the girl naked, tied her hands and legs, and flogged her with an electric wire.

The prosecution said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 2(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge.(NAN)