Court Remands IAUOE Staff Over Sexual Abuse Charges

A Port Harcourt Magistrate Court in Rivers State presided over by Senior Magistrate Gomba Osaro has remanded a staff of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Mgbechi Wekwa, aged 45 years, in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, for alleged sexual abuse of a 16-year old girl.

The suspect is standing trial on a one-count charge bordering on sexual abuse and forcefully having carnal knowledge of a 16-year old girl.

The charge sheet read, “that you, Mgbechi Wekwa ‘M’ on 13th day of January, 2021, at Rumuakwunde in Emohua local Government Area, but triable in Port Harcourt 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 Rights Act Cap. 50 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2013.

The presiding senior magistrate, after hearing application for bail brought by the defence Counsel, Martina Okpeeholo, adjourned the matter for bail consideration to Monday, February 22, 2021, and ordered that the suspect be remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.

Speaking outside the court room, practicing lawyer in Port Harcourt, Jane O. A. James, holding watching brief for the complainant on behalf of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, expressed displeasure that the police 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 the case in this instant matter.