Imo State Police Command has arrested Wisdom Onyeaju, a 24-year-old man from Umuekweye in Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area, for the alleged defilement of a 15-year-old girl.
The incident, which occurred during the Christmas and New Year festive season, gained widespread attention after the victim’s family shared a distressing viral video on social media.
The video, narrated by the victim’s elder sister, detailed how Onyeaju allegedly forced his way into the room where the minor, identified as Nwakago, was staying, armed with a knife.
She had returned home to Imo State for the holidays despite concerns about insecurity that had kept her sister away initially. This public outcry prompted the family to report the matter formally, leading to the suspect’s swift apprehension.
Onyeaju is currently detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Owerri, undergoing thorough investigation. Authorities have pledged to arraign him in court once probes conclude, with appropriate charges under Nigerian law for defilement.
Compounding the tragedy, several police officers at a station near the Government House in Owerri were accused of professional misconduct.
The family alleged that the officers demanded a N100,000 bribe before agreeing to take their statement or act on the complaint. These officers have been identified, detained, and are slated for an orderly room trial.
The Imo State Police Command emphasized its commitment to justice, distancing itself from the officers’ alleged extortion.
This dual action—arresting the perpetrator and disciplining complicit personnel—aims to restore public confidence amid rising concerns over sexual violence and police accountability in the region. Investigations continue to ensure all aspects of the case are addressed.
This incident underscores persistent challenges with gender-based violence and institutional lapses in Nigeria’s southeast. Community leaders and activists have called for stricter enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in Imo State, urging faster prosecution to deter similar crimes.
As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance during festive periods and robust support for survivors.
Child abuse, including defilement of a minor like the 15-year-old in the Imo State case, carries severe legal consequences under Nigerian law.
Nigeria’s primary statutes include the Criminal Code (applicable in southern states like Imo), Penal Code (northern), Child Rights Act 2003, and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015, domesticated in Imo State.
Under Section 218 of the Criminal Code, unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 13 attracts life imprisonment, with or without caning; for ages 13-15, related provisions like Section 216 impose up to 7 years for indecent dealing.
The VAPP Act defines rape (including non-consensual acts on minors) with penalties of 12 years minimum to life imprisonment, plus possible compensation for victims; gang rape mandates 20 years minimum without fine.
In 2025, the Senate passed the Criminal Code Amendment Bill, escalating defilement penalties to life imprisonment without fine option, up from prior terms like 5 years.
For Wisdom Onyeaju’s alleged defilement of a 15-year-old, charges could invoke VAPP or Criminal Code, leading to life sentence if convicted, alongside probes into police bribery under anti-corruption laws.
Courts require corroborated evidence, such as medical reports or witness testimony, and maintain public sex offender registers under VAPP to protect communities.