Adachukwu Okafor, a 35-year-old lawyer, has pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse leveled against her by the Anambra State Government. Okafor, who allegedly brutalized her 11-year-old house help, Happiness Nwafor, in Onitsha earlier this year, faces a four-count charge at the Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court in Awka.
According to the charges, Okafor is accused of willfully inflicting severe physical injuries on Nwafor using a cane, hot electric iron, and hot kitchen knife. These actions violate Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Protection (VAPP) Law of 2017. Additionally, Okafor is charged with causing grievous harm under Section 290 of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Volume II Revised Laws of Anambra State, 1991.
The indictment also includes allegations of unlawfully detaining Nwafor in a toilet without food and water, while binding her legs, hands, and mouth with clothes, an offense under Section 12(1) of the VAPP Law of 2017.
Related NewsLawyer Paraded By Police For Alleged Maltreatment Of Maid
Anambra Tricycle Passengers Accuse Police of Extortion and Harassment
Representing the state in this case are Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, Principal State Counsel Jerry Emebie, and Senior State Counsel Vivian Anyaene. Barrister Chijioke Nwankwo is defending Okafor.
Following Okafor’s plea of not guilty, Justice Peace Otti, the presiding judge, scheduled the next hearing for July 30, during which the court will address the bail application and proceed with further submissions from both prosecution and defense.