ACTIVIST ARRESTED FOR CHILD ABUSE

ACTIVIST ARRESTED FOR CHILD ABUSE

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned the founder of a non-governmental organisation, Girl Child Art Foundation, Mrs. Adaobi Onyejike-Ananaba, for allegedly inflicting injuries on her maid, Amaka (Ezewane) Ekpere.

The 39-year-old was arraigned on one count of child abuse before an Ogba Chief Magistrate’s

It was reported that Onyejike-Ananaba, who was related to the victim, had taken her from the mother shortly after the father’s death.

However, it was alleged that the NGO founder assaulted the victim several times over certain offences and sometimes stopped her from going to school if she did not finish her house chores.

She later allegedly stopped her from school.

It was reported that a resident alerted social workers at the Office of the Public Defender to the alleged physical and psychological abuse, prompting the rescue of the victim.

The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested, while Ekpere was taken to a shelter.

Onyejike-Ananaba was subsequently arraigned before Magistrate T. Akanni’s court.

The charge read, “That you, Ada Ananaba, on December 4, 2017, at about 8.30am, on Adebisi Ajayi Street, Omole Estate, Ojodu, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did unlawfully abuse one Amaka Ekpere, aged 11, by using a cane to inflict injuries on her and causing her bodily harm, thereby committing an offence under Section 171, Vol. 11, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty and elected summary trial.

A policewoman, Felicia George, stood in for the police prosecutor, Clifford Ogu, who was not in court.

The defence counsel urged the court to admit the defendant to bail in liberal terms.

But the counsel holding brief for the OPD, Ibukun Ibikunle, opposed the prayer for liberal bail term.

The Chief Magistrate, Tope Ojo, who stood in for Akanni, admitted Onyejike-Ananaba to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

Ojo said the surety must be gainfully employed with two years’ evidence of tax payment.

The case was adjourned till February 12, 2018.

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