The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Ohanenye, has dragged a couple, Mr Ifeanyi Enwelum and Mrs Christabel Enwelum, before an Enugu State High Court for alleged rights breach and sexual defilement of their nine-year-old daughter.
The civil suit, filed under suit number E/987/2023, seeks for the ministry to take custody of the victim (name withheld) and for the respondents (the couple) to pay damages of N10 million and other reliefs.
Recall that Mr Ifeanyi Enwelum, step-father of the minor, between Jan 1, 2022 and June 10, 2023 at number 13/15 Onoh Crescent, GRA Enugu in Enugu North council, allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the minor several times.
However, the minor’s biological mother, Mrs Christabel Enwelum, due to negligence did not protect her daughter, in the repeated penetration on her private parts as confirmed by Dr Samuel Ndukwu, medical practitioner at the Nigerian Police Clinic State Headquarters, Enugu.
Briefing newsmen on Saturday in Enugu, the counsel to the Minister, Chuma Oguejiofor, said that the suit seeks to enforce the fundamental human rights of the minor as well as stand as a public interest matter meant to instill decency and morality.
Oguejiofor, however, said that the public interest suit filed on Nov. 17 was yet to be assigned a date for hearing.
According to him, the suit sought six prayers from the court among which are:
“First, a declaration of the court that the minor, who is but about nine-years-old is as a citizen of Nigeria entitled to respect for the dignity of her person and should not be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment by the Respondents whether acting by themselves or by their agents/privies as enshrined in section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As Amended).
“Second, a declaration of court that the first respondent (Ifeanyi Enwelum) act of having carnal knowledge of the minor for a period of more than one year, i.e. between Jan. 2022 and June 2023 constitutes an infringement of her right to the dignity of her person as enshrined in section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As Amended).
“Third, a declaration of court that the Respondents’ act of setting process in motion towards compromising and sweeping charges number: MEN/319C/2023 under the carpet.
“While taking the minor back to number 13/15 Onoh Crescent GRA , Enugu to continue living with them under the same roof as if nothing had happened constitutes mental or emotional/psychological torture to her contrary to the provision of section 34(1)(a) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).
“Fourth, an order of the Honourable Court that the Applicant in the person of the Honourable Minister of the ministry of women’s affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and her ministry take immediate custody of the minor and cater for her needs henceforth.
“Fifth, an order of the Honourable Court restraining the Respondents by themselves or through their agents/privies from having anything whatsoever to do with the minor till she reaches the age of 21 years.
“Sixth, damages amounting to N10 million jointly and severally from the Respondents,” he said.
