Ifeoma Ozougwu and husband, Jude Ozougwu have on Monday been remanded in Custody by an Enugu Magistrate Court.
Mrs Ifeoma was arrested with her husband for brutalising their maid, Nneoma Nnandi aged 10 and inflicting grievous injuries using pressing iron and nails.
In the charge marked MEN/298c/2020, the police alleged that between April and July 2020, the couple attempted to “unlawfully kill one Miss Nneoma Nnadi, aged 10 years, your house-help, by burning her belly, back and buttocks with hot electric pressing iron, nailing nails into several points on her head, which is capable of endangering her life.”
The police pointed out that the offence was punishable under Section 275 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
After the charges were read to the couple, the police prosecutor, Paschal Nwachukwu, told the magistrate, “The evidence of this matter is grievous and weighty. How can one explain nailing a child as was done to Jesus Christ, using hot pressing iron, sharp and dangerous objects on even her private parts?”
The defence counsel, Emeka Orji, however prayed the court to discountenance the various public sentiments on the matter and grant bail to his clients.
Orji argued that the offence was bailable and the court should use its discretion to grant the couple bail, adding that they had two little children to look after, but the presiding magistrate, Joseph Agu, refused to admit the couple to bail.
The Magistrate pointed out:
In exercise of my discretion, the offence is grievous going by counts one and three; even as the girl is still hospitalised as well as the overwhelming public outcry, I reject the application for bail.
I hereby remand the couple in the Nsukka orrectional facility pending further advice by the state Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Magistrate adjourned the matter till August 10, 2020.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has frowned at the heinous attitude of Ifeoma and husband for depicting such despicable trait contrary to what is known for the good people of Enugu State.
In a statement signed by the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Nnenyelugo Chidi Aroh, Governor Ugwuanyi while undertaking the medical treatment of the 10 year old victim, Nneoma, approved the award of Scholarship, up to University level, for the little girl.
Mr Aro furthered that Governor Ugwuanyi has directed the Enugu State Scholarship Board to implement the Scholarship with immediate effect.
The State Commissioner disclosed that in addition to Governor Ugwuanyi's directive to the State Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development to provide and fully pay for the best available medical care for the child, the Governor had further directed immediate release of financial support for the family of the Child for their up keep.
Mr Aro added that Governor Ugwuanyi is grateful to the good people of Enugu State for their timely and profesional intervention and directed the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Meletus Eze to liaise with Nigerian Police and ensure that the suspects are brought to justice timely.
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