Court acquits Ojukwu student of rape and armed robbery charges

After being arrested in 2022 for alleged rape, armed robbery and other crimes, a Children, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (GBV) Court in Awka, Anambra State has found one Michael Arinze not guilty of the above offenses on nine charges charges against him.

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As a result, the court presided over by Honorable Justice Peace Otti discharged and acquitted the defendant; He was a student of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University when he was arrested.

In her verdict, Judge Otti noted that the facts presented by the public prosecutor were not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, which is why the court could not convict the defendant.

However, she argued that something must have happened that led to the arrest, detention and prosecution of Michael among thousands of students at the university, but insisted that the court did not engage in speculation; but on concrete, verifiable, convincing and incontrovertible evidence before him.

She also advised the defendant to take his studies seriously and not allow himself to be shown wanting again.

It was gathered that 26-year-old Michael, who lived in a lodge in Awkuzu Otoko village in Oyi Local Government Area of ​​the state, was arrested by the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Anti-cult Squad and handed over to the police for raping a 21-year-old woman. year old Onyinye Ezenwaka at gunpoint and expropriating the sum of 20,000 naira.

Among other things, the court noted that no medical evidence was produced to prove the rape allegation even when the complainant claimed to have received medical attention at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku Awka and that no independent candidate came to support This statement was made by law enforcement.

The court also cross-examined a prosecution witness in the case of Okechukwu Okoye, 35, a security guard at a church in Onitsha, Okechukwu Nwazota, 36, and Amaechi Anaonwu, 41, also security guards at a church, through the neighborhood; who were accused of raping a nine-year-old girl and later adjourned the matter to May 31 for continuation of the trial.

The case of Wisdom Edem, who is accused of raping a 10-year-old girl in Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of ​​the state, was not mentioned even though it was earlier adjourned to decide on the bail application.