From Henrietta Ashikodi, Umuahia
An Abia State High Court has sentenced a 35-year-old man to 10 years imprisonment for defiling a 5-year-old girl. In a separate ruling, the court also sentenced a 32-year-old man to 30 years imprisonment for defiling a 13-year-old girl.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this at the Government House, Umuahia, on Monday, July 13, 2026, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
Speaking, the Commissioner said the two cases of rape were decided on the same day they were called up for hearing on July 9, 2026. He said the cases were facilitated through the Abia State Government’s recently launched NCHEDO Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
The Commissioner noted that both defendants pleaded guilty to the crime, making it one of the fastest concluded rape cases in the country as they were sentenced on the same day they appeared in court after pleading guilty to the offence.
He described the judgments as landmark convictions that indicate the current administration has zero tolerance for sexual assault against the girl child and women. He added that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection has continued implementing the state’s framework for access to social protection support through the identification, assessment, and coordination of assistance for vulnerable citizens requiring urgent medical and humanitarian support.
Prince Kanu further disclosed that the state government visited the family of Late Wendy Achumba, an indigene of Obingwa LGA and a nursing student who was reportedly raped and killed in her residence in Imo State. He said government was fully represented at her burial and also supported the family. He added that the state government will monitor the court case of the suspect.
The Information Commissioner also revealed that the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, in partnership with Dreamland Football Academy, recently organised the second edition of the Abia State Dreamland Under-19 Cup Tournament, where six outstanding young footballers were scouted by foreign football partners for professional careers in Europe.
He also revealed that the State volleyball team has returned to the Nigerian Volleyball Premier League after 23 years of relegation and recorded an impressive performance during the first phase of the league in Abuja. Preparations are underway for the second phase in Lagos.
The Commissioner further noted that Abia Angels Football Club, the state’s female football team, has qualified for the Nigerian Women’s Football League Super Six for the first time in its history. He described the feat as a major milestone for women’s football in the state, adding that the team is currently being strengthened ahead of the 2026/2027 league season.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonna, advised Abians and residents to be cautious about what they eat to avoid food poisoning. He said proper food preparation and refrigeration are very important to avoid contamination.
Speaking further on the rape cases, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Blessing Ngozi Felix, reiterated that the NCHEDO Sexual Assault Referral Centre was launched on February 18, 2026, to provide access to justice and psychosocial support, among others, for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Abia.
The Commissioner disclosed that in the case of the 35-year-old man who defiled a 5-year-old child, the suspect absconded to Nasarawa State after committing the crime and was later arrested by the police and brought back to Abia State to face trial.
“The case was called up on July 9, 2026, and on that same day, he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after he confessed to the crime,” she said.
“Under this administration, the government is very serious and has zero tolerance for any form of sexual and gender-based abuse against vulnerable citizens.
“I hereby warn sexual offenders: we have a sex offenders register at the Ministry of Justice for the naming and shaming of sexual offenders. If caught and convicted, their names are put there. This register serves as a deterrent to potential offenders in the future,” Mrs. Felix stated.
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