…State Government Reaffirms Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse

The Enugu State Police Command has arraigned a 42-year-old man, Edwin Eze, before a Magistrate Court in Enugu over the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in Mburubu community, Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect was brought before Magistrate Chijioke Idu of the Enugu East Magistrate Court on Monday, following investigations into the alleged sexual assault said to have occurred in November 2025.

According to the charge, marked CMG/69c/2026: Commissioner of Police vs. Edwin Eze, the defendant was accused of unlawfully having carnal knowledge of the minor, an offence punishable under the Enugu State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, No. 2 of 2019.

The charge read in part that Eze allegedly committed the offence at about 6:00 p.m. at Amanato Mburubu, where he was said to have engaged in sexual intercourse with the underage girl without her consent.

Following the arraignment, Magistrate Idu ordered that the accused be remanded at the Enugu Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to February 12, 2026, for further hearing.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to combating child abuse and sexual violence, vowing that offenders will face the full weight of the law.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, described the arraignment as a clear signal of the administration’s resolve to protect vulnerable groups in the state.

She stressed that the government, under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, maintains a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of violence against children and women.

“This is yet another case that underscores our determination to ensure that perpetrators of child abuse and sexual violence are brought to justice,” Enih said.

“We will closely monitor this case and ensure it is pursued to its logical conclusion. No offender will be shielded.”

The state government has continued to encourage residents to report cases of abuse promptly, assuring victims and their families of protection, support, and access to justice.