An Enugu State magistrate court has remanded Mrs. Ada Ogbogu in the Enugu Correctional Centre following accusations of using a pestle to inflict severe harm on her three-year-old stepson, leading to a broken bone. The incident has raised significant concerns about child abuse and reinforced the state government’s stance against such dehumanizing acts.
During the court session on Tuesday, the police detailed that Mrs. Ogbogu allegedly committed grievous harm to her stepson, an offence punishable under the Enugu State Criminal Code, with life imprisonment as the maximum penalty upon conviction. The charge, marked CME/646C/2024, stated, “That you, Ada Ogbogu, female, on the 23rd of October 2024, at about 1430 hours at Ike Ani Estate, Emene Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to maim or disfigure one Kaitobechukwu Ogbogu, male, aged 3 years, pour hot water on his nose, mouth and hit him with a pestle, which dislocated his left leg and caused him serious bodily harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 288 (a) of the Enugu State Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II. Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.”
Despite a bail application for Mrs. Ogbogu, Chief Magistrate Alphonsus Edeh rejected the plea and ordered her remand in custody until the next hearing scheduled for 26th November 2024. The case is expected to proceed once the Director of Public Prosecutions from the Enugu Ministry of Justice submits a formal report on the matter.
In a related development, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, addressed the press, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring justice in cases involving child welfare and safety. She highlighted the swift intervention by the state authorities and affirmed that the arraignment marks the administration’s determination to bring the case to a “logical conclusion.” The Commissioner reiterated that Enugu State, under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership, has zero tolerance for child abuse and maltreatment. She stated emphatically, “If you mistreat or abuse any child in Enugu State, then you are in for trouble. Period.”
The swift legal action against Mrs. Ogbogu underscores the Enugu State Government’s resolve to protect vulnerable children from abuse and to hold offenders accountable, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to enforcing children’s rights and safeguarding their well-being.
