The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State has ruled that it has no jurisdiction to hear the case of twenty-eight-year-old Chinonso Agbasi, who is accused of conspiring with others now at large to traffick a fifteen-year-old girl child (name withheld) from Isiagu, Awka South LGA of Anambra State to Alafia Street in Coker Area of Lagos State for child labour and sexual exploitations.
In a seven-count charge brought before the court, the defendant was also accused of procuring abortion on the girl child in Lagos State after realizing that she was six weeks pregnant, as well as inflicting physical injuries on the victim.
The offences are punishable under section 13(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2015, among others.
Complainant and Prosecution witness in the matter, Mr. Chibuzo Obidike had informed the court that through the victim’s school teacher in Lagos, the family was informed that the girl bled for nine days, and upon interrogation, she confessed to have been raped by the accused.
He further stated that when the girl child complained of illness, the accused, Chinonso, took her to a nurse who gave her drugs that made her start bleeding from her private part.
After listening to presentations from Prosecution and Defense counsels on whether or not the court has jurisdiction over the matter, the court had adjourned to 14th July, 2023 for determination.
Ruling on the matter, the court said it has no jurisdiction over the case, and subsequently ordered that it be transferred to Lagos State for continuation of trial.
Speaking with ABS after the court ruling, the Prosecution counsel from the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Vivian Anyaene said she would ensure that the court order is acted upon in record time; to ensure justice for all concerned including the victim, the accused and the state.
Meanwhile, police investigation revealed that one nurse Ngozi who is a chemist at Coker Area Orile, Lagos helped Chinonso in procuring abortion on the girl child, and upon arrest, the accused, Chinonso throughhis confessional statement admitted the allegation of the complainant.
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