On Thursday, the Anambra State Government apprehended a 40-year-old man named Anietie Tim for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in Onitsha.
After managing to elude the operatives of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Children’s Welfare, the suspect was finally taken into custody.
Originating from Etinan in Akwa Ibom State, the suspect claimed during interrogation that he was unaware of the victim’s age. He asserted that the girl had been the one making advances towards him and, being a mature man, he felt compelled to respond to her actions.
According to him, “She was my girlfriend, and she frequently visited me due to her family’s alleged neglect, which left her hungry and in need of food.”
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, personally interrogated the suspect in her office and subsequently ordered his transfer to the police for further legal proceedings.
She stated, “He will be brought before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka to face the consequences of his actions.”
Addressing the incident that occurred in 2022, she mentioned the suspect’s continued efforts to dodge arrest. He had even resorted to threats against the victim’s mother, declaring himself immune to prosecution.