A 31-year-old man, James Rich, has been arrested for allegedly defiling and impregnating a 14-year-old girl in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, made the disclosure in Awka on Thursday.
Obinabo said the arrest followed a report by the girl’s guardian, adding that Rich is a native of Cross River State but resides and works at the Ifite area of Awka.
The commissioner said: “After her guardian reported the matter, we started investigation.
The girl, who has speech impediment, was taken to the hospital and it was certified that she was pregnant.
“With the help of the police, the suspect was apprehended. He will face the full wrath of the law.
“This is a warning to adults in the state, stop defiling young girls especially minors to avoid spending the rest of your lives in prison custody.
“I want to assure residents that the state government is committed to protecting the rights of children in the state.”
Speaking with newsmen, Rich admitted defiling the 14-year-old girl three times within the church premises and impregnated her in the process.
He said: “I had canal knowledge of the girl for three Sundays before the 6:30 a.m. service, after which I gave her N200 to buy biscuit.
“I’m a married man and I have two children; we are also expecting the third child.
“It was temptation that made me do it. It is my first time of doing this kind of thing. Please, I am very sorry.”
