A 31-year-old man named James Rich has been arrested by the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and the Anambra State Police Command for the pregnancy of a 14-year-old girl who lives in the state capital, Awka.
Although Rich lives in Awka and works as a yardman at St. Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church in Ifite-Awka, he is reportedly a native of Cross River State.
This was revealed in a press release on Thursday from Chidinmma Ikeanyionwu, the media assistant to Ify Obinabo, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare.
“After questioning the suspect, she stated, he acknowledged that he had defiled the 14-year-old and consequently impregnated her.”
“He clarified that he typically does this on Sunday mornings at the church grounds and that he has had intimate contact with her for approximately three times before giving her N200 to purchase biscuits.”The suspect resides on the church grounds, where he goes about his everyday business despite being married, having two children, and expecting a third. He begged for forgiveness, saying that he had never done this before and that he had been tempted to do it.
“The victim with developmental disabilities added that the suspect typically defiles her early on Sunday mornings, prior to the start of the 6:30 a.m. service.”
In response to the incident, the commissioner said that the girl would receive justice and that the issue would be brought before the court right away.
As a result, she issued a warning to adults to cease defiling young girls, especially those who are minors, so they won’t have to spend the rest of their lives behind bars because the state will not stand for it.