A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has remanded a pastor and human rights activist, Jude Ohanenye, in a correctional centre for alleged defilement of an 8-year-old girl.
Ohanenye, who is a member of Behind Bars, a human rights group, was arraigned on Wednesday on two counts bordering on sexual abuse and defilement to which she pleaded not guilty.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on March 16, 2022 in the Eliozu area of the Port Harcourt.
The charge read, “That you, Jude Ohanenye, on the 16th day of March 2022, at Eliozu, Port Harcourt, in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did unlawfully and sexually abused a girl of 8 years old by touching her vagina, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 32 (1) (2) of the Child Right Act, Cap. 50 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2003.
“That you Jude Ohanenye on the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did defile a girl of 8 years old by inserting your finger into her vagina, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 32 (1) (2) of the Child Right Act, Cap. 50 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2003.”
Behind Bars Director General, Harrison Gwamnishu, who had earlier confirmed the incident in a statement on Facebook, said the group acted promptly after receiving a complaint against the pastor and member.
