The Anambra State Police Command arraigned two nursing mothers, Chidinma Aguguo and Jennifer Ikem for allegedly assaulting a girl with canes in a viral online video.
The defendants who resides at 24, Gabriel St., Idabor, Umueri Community in Otuocha, appeared before the state’s Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka.
They were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and assault. They, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Chinyere Okechukwu, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on May 4, at Otuocha in Anambra East Local Government Area.
“That you, together with others still at large, conspired to assault one Udealor Onyinyechi, wilfully inflicting physical injuries on her with a cane.
” The defendants were subsequently identified and arrested after a video of the incident circulated widely on social media..
“The offences are punishable under section 4 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Law of Anambra State of Nigeria, 2017.
“They also contravened Sections 258 and 495(a) of Criminal Code Cap 36 Vol.II Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991 as Amended,” she said.
The defence counsel, Mr S. O. Iwuoba, urged the court to grant the defendants bail, noting that they were first-time offenders and nursing mothers of infants aged two and three months, respectively.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs U.E. Onochie, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with a surety in like sum.
Onochie adjourned the case until June 17, for hearing.
