Two convicted for child defilement in Abia

…As state intensifies action against sexual violence

Abia State Government, says it has secured the conviction of two child sex offenders, sentenced to 30 and 10 years’ imprisonments, respectively, for separate cases of defilement, a major breakthrough in its campaign against sexual and gender-based violence.

Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information, disclosed this Monday during a press briefing, held at the Government House Umuahia.

One of the offenders, a 35-year-old man whose name was not mentioned, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by a Family Court sitting at the Umuahia High Court, for defiling a 5-year-old girl, while another 32-year-old man was sentenced to 30-years imprisonment for defiling a 13-year-old girl.

Kanu said that the convictions underscored the present administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards sexual offences and serve as a warning that perpetrators would not be spared.

“Two sexual assault cases were successfully concluded recently, resulting in convictions and prison sentences of 30 and 10 years respectively.

“These are landmark convictions that indicate that Abia State Government has zero tolerance for sexual assault on women folk”, the commissioner said.

He further disclosed that the convictions were among landmark outcomes recorded by the state’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), located at the General Hospital, Aba.

Kanu disclosed that the centre had continued to provide coordinated medical, psychosocial and referral services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

The Commissioner also revealed that the facility is currently managing two fresh cases involving a 60-year-old woman allegedly subjected to gang rape and a 5-year-old child, who survived defilement

He added that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection has continued to implement the state’s social protection framework by identifying and supporting vulnerable residents that require urgent medical and humanitarian assistance.

Kanu disclosed that the Ministry recently visited the family of the late Wendy Achumba, a nursing student from Obingwa Local Government Area, who was allegedly raped and murdered in Imo State.

According to him, government officials attended her burial in solidarity with the bereaved family, provided financial support and pledged to pursue justice in the case.

Ngozi Felix, Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, while providing further details of the convictions, said that the 35-year-old man, sentenced for 10-years had fled to Nasarawa State after the incident, but was tracked down and returned to Abia by the police to face prosecution.

She further disclosed that another 32-year-old man received a 30-year prison sentence after being convicted of defiling a 13-year-old girl by the Family Court sitting at the High Court in Umuahia.

She described the recent conviction process as one of the fastest recorded within Nigeria’s network of Sexual Assault Referral Centres, adding that: “We’ve not had a case called up on the first day in court for the hearing, and that same sentence happened.

“This is the fastest that has ever happened in the country. We have a network of sexual assault referral centers in Nigeria, and this is the fastest that has ever happened; that conviction was given within 24 hours.

“The hearing was called up on July 9, 2026, and on that same day, he was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment”, Felix said.

Felix attributed the development to collaboration among the Ministries of Health, Justice, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as the Nigeria Police Force.

She also commended Danladi Isa, Abia State Commissioner of Police, for the command’s support in the investigation and prosecution of sexual violence cases.

The commissioner noted that the Otti led administration remains committed to protecting vulnerable residents and warned sternly that sexual offenders, would face the full weight of the law.