A 36-year-old man has been remanded at the correctional centre in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl.

Chief Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha of the Ebonyi State Magistrate’s Court on Friday heard how one Jonah Ogudu, 36, raped his victim [name withheld in a bush at Amaeze village, Ishiagu community, in the Ivo Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, who was said to be on her way to the stream on February 5, 2020, when she fell prey to Ogudu, was said to have raised the alarm while he was having carnal knowledge of her.

Her screams attracted passers-by to the scene.

He was arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court, on Friday, on one count that bothered on unlawful sexual intercourse.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP Mathias Eze, told the court that the offence was punishable under section 34 (2) Ebonyi Child Right Laws and Related Matters, 2010.

The charge read,

“That you Jonah Ogudu ‘m’, on the 5th day of February 2020, at Amaeze Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area in the Abakaliki Magisterial District did had unlawful sexual intercourse with one Chioma Okuh ‘f’ aged 11 years, and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 34 (2) Ebonyi Child Right Laws and Related Matters, 2010.”

The suspect was not granted bail and had no Defence Counsel, that appeared for him.

The Chief Magistrate, Nnenna Onuoha, said such an offense was one against all women in the world.

She ordered that the accused person be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while his case file should be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the state, for necessary advice.

She adjourned the case till March 2, 2020, for a report of compliance.