NHRC orders investigation of alleged child abuse by a judge

The 11-year-old victim was allegedly abused by a magistrate.

The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Ben Angwe, on Wednesday ordered an investigation into a case of child abuse against an Enugu State chief magistrate.

An 11-year old girl, Chinasa Armah, who lost her father 10 years ago, was allegedly abducted and abused by an Enugu State Chief Magistrate, Ifeoma Egbonnaji.

The Commission said it gathered that the police on visiting Ms. Egbonnaji’s house found little Miss Armah sleeping on the bare floor within the compound with fresh wounds and scars over her body.

Mr. Angwe therefore ordered the Enugu State Coordinator of the commission to collaborate with relevant authorities and immediately commence a full scale investigation into the case.

“If it is found that the suspect has a case to answer, the commission would collaborate with the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is done,” Mr. Angwe said.

He also called on all the stakeholders of the Criminal Justice Administration, CJA, to ensure that perpetrators of any form of child abuse are brought to justice and their victims adequately compensated as prescribed by Nigerian law.

Commending the state government and the Anti-Human Trafficking Squad of the state police command for their intervention, Mr. Angwe, called on Nigerians to be vigilant and report abuse cases to the Commission for prompt intervention.