AWKA, Nigeria – E.C.G. Okechukwu, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, in Awka Branch, has been remanded in prison custody following his arraignment at the Awka Magistrate Court on charges related to the sexual molestation of three minor girls.
The former NBA boss allegedly brought three underage girls aged between 8 and 10 years from Ebonyi State to his brothel, Happiness Guest House, located in Amawbia, where he is accused of sexually molesting them and offering them to some of the patrons of his brothel.
The case came to light when a customer at the brothel noticed bruises on one of the girls. Upon questioning, the girl revealed that she suffered the injuries while resisting sexual molestation from other patrons.
The customer managed to get the contact number of the girl’s parents and alerted them.
The parents, in turn, arrived at the brothel with police from Ebonyi State and arrested everyone present, including the senior lawyer, Mr Okechukwu.
The victims, who are all indigenes of Ebonyi State, stated during interviews that they were brought to Awka by individuals named Ifeoma and Chika under the pretense of being offered jobs as sales girls, only to be forced into prostitution against their will.
The girls were ultimately rescued through the efforts of a whistleblower who contacted their family and the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Ify Obinabo.
Hon. Obinabo has emphasized the Anambra State Government’s commitment to eradicating child kidnapping, trafficking, and sexual slavery in the state.
She sternly warned hotel owners to desist from exploiting underage girls for their businesses or face legal consequences.
The Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, is also reported to have taken notice of the case, and the Commissioner assured that the matter would be handled seriously.
Mr. Okechukwu was arraigned on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, and has been remanded in prison custody pending further legal proceedings.
