By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Government of Anambra State has arraigned a man and his wife for inflicting serious bodily injuries with melted plastics on a minor living with them. The arraignment, personally led by the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, is part of the State Government’s zero tolerance for child abuse and domestic violence.
A few months ago, 11-year-old Chizitere, a house help, was tortured by his guardians, leading to serious bodily injury. The minor was beaten with heated plastic, which caused open wounds all over his body. Uncared for after the injury, his guardians also forced him to sleep on the bare floor with the open wounds all over his body. This horrifying experience of the minor sparked public outrage and subsequent intervention by the Government of Anambra State on the matter. At the time, the Anambra State First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, took over the well-being of the child and personally saw through his recovery at the hospital.
However, with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, leading the couple’s prosecution, the Government of Anambra State is reinforcing its campaign against child abuse and domestic violence. Following the couple’s formal arraignment, the defense had applied for a plea bargain, which will be reviewed by the State against the weight of the abuse on the minor and the charges against the couple.





