From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
A 23-year-old man, Agene Gabriel, has been arraigned before an Uzo-Uwani Magistrate Court presided over by Chief Magistrate S. Audu, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State over alleged abduction and carnal knowledge of a 13-year old girl.
When the clerk of the court introduced the case, which is between Enugu State Commissioner of Police and Agene Gabriel, the magistrate directed all parties involved to come over to his office.
He rose and the parties involved followed him to his chamber where he conducted the proceeding for the case.
Briefing newsmen immediately after the closed-door trial, Mr Francis Akaugwu, the uncle to the 13-year old girl, said he was surprised that the arraignment of the accused was conducted in magistrate’s chamber instead of the open court.
He stated that the accused person was charged in case number NZ/C/2025, with a four-count charge bordering on abduction and having carnal knowledge of the girl.
The prosecuting police officer, Obia Ebri, told the court that that the alleged crime was committed at different times between January 7, 2025 and March, 2025, in Lagos, down to Nkpologu, Uzo-Uwani in Uzo-Uwani Magisterial District.
The accused person allegedly touched the girl’s breast and private parts, took her out of the custody and protection of her parents against the will of her parents, detained the girl in his apartment in order for him to have a carnal knowledge of her, and thereby committed the offences.
Akaugwu said that Gabriel pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him, which prompted his defence council to apply for his bail.
Also speaking to newsmen, counsel to the accused, Mr. Kenneth Neneaya, said the magistrate moved to his chamber to hear the case because the 13-year old girl involved in the case is a minor and should be protected from the public.
The magistrate ordered that the accused person be remanded in Nsukka Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to March 20 to look into the bail application.