Abia State Convicts Two Child Sexual Offenders

The Abia State Government has achieved a significant milestone in its campaign against sexual and gender-based violence by securing the conviction of two child sexual offenders. A 35-year-old man from Akwa Ibom State was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the defilement of a five-year-old girl, while a 32-year-old man received a 30-year prison sentence for the defilement of a thirteen-year-old girl.

Okei Kanu disclosed this information on Tuesday in Umuahia during a briefing for journalists following a state executive council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. Kanu emphasized the administration's zero-tolerance policy towards sexual offenses.

The Abia State Sexual Assault Referral Centre continues to provide coordinated medical and psychosocial referral services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The commission also reported handling two new cases involving a 60-year-old woman allegedly subjected to gang rape and a five-year-old child.

Ngozi Felix from the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection commended the swift prosecution of these cases, attributing the outcomes to collaboration among various ministries and law enforcement.