Jude Ohanenye, a human rights activist, has been ordered by a magistrate court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to remain in a correctional centre for allegedly defiling an 8-year-old girl.
Ohanenye, who is a member of Behind Bars, a human rights group and also a pastor of a church was arraigned on Wednesday, April 17, on two counts bordering on sexual abuse and defilement to which he pleaded not guilty.
READ ALSO: SUBEB suspends randy teacher for defiling 14 female students in Niger
According to reports, 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 abuse 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.”
Meanwhile activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who was a colleague to the suspect stated that Jude was arrested following a report by the victim. He stated that medical report proved the child’s vagina was ruptured but hymen still intact.
Pastor Jude has been remanded in prison custody and case adjourned till 21st April, 2022 for a hearing.