Abia secures convictions in two sexual assault cases, establishes sex offenders register

By Peter Okore, Umuahia

The Abia State Government has secured convictions in two separate cases of sexual assault involving minors and has established a Sex Offenders Register as part of efforts to combat gender-based violence and protect vulnerable residents.

The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Blessing Ngozi Felix, disclosed this while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting.

She said the convictions were secured through the state’s recently inaugurated NCHEDO Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Aba, which was established to provide survivors of sexual and gender-based violence with access to justice, psychosocial support and other essential services.

According to the commissioner, one of the cases involved a 35-year-old man who allegedly defiled a five-year-old child in Aba and subsequently fled the state. She said the suspect was traced to Nasarawa State, arrested and returned to Abia to face prosecution.

Felix disclosed that the court sentenced the offender to 10 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

“The hearing came up on July 9, 2026, and judgment was delivered the same day. The culprit was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment because he pleaded guilty from the beginning of the trial,” she said.

She added that in another case, a 32-year-old man was convicted and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for defiling a 13-year-old girl.

The commissioner said the convictions demonstrate the administration’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable groups from abuse.

“Under this administration, the government has zero tolerance for all forms of sexual and gender-based violence against vulnerable citizens,” she stated.

Felix also announced the establishment of a Sex Offenders Register at the Ministry of Justice, explaining that the database would contain the names of convicted sexual offenders as a deterrent to future crimes.

“I want to use this opportunity to warn sexual offenders that we now have a Sex Offenders Register at the Ministry of Justice for the naming and shaming of convicted offenders.

Prince Okey Kanu (M), flanked by Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche and Mrs. Ngozi Felix

“Once an offender is convicted, his or her name will be entered into the register for posterity. This serves as a deterrent to potential offenders,” she said.

She assured residents that the government would continue to prosecute offenders and take all necessary measures to safeguard children and vulnerable persons across the state.

“Our children are the future of Abia State, and this administration will do everything necessary to protect them,” she added.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the judgments as landmark convictions that underscore the state’s resolve to tackle sexual violence.

He noted that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection had continued to implement programmes aimed at providing social protection and emergency support for vulnerable citizens requiring medical and humanitarian assistance.

On sports development, Kanu disclosed that six young footballers were recently discovered by foreign football scouts during the second edition of the Abia State Dreamland Under-19 Cup Tournament, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in partnership with Dreamland Football Academy.

He also announced that the Abia State Volleyball Team has returned to the Nigerian Volleyball Premier League after 23 years and recorded an impressive outing during the first phase of the competition in Abuja.

According to him, preparations are ongoing for the second phase of the league scheduled to hold in Lagos.

Kanu further revealed that Abia Angels Football Club has qualified for the Nigerian Women’s Football League Super Six for the first time in the club’s history.

He described the achievement as a major milestone for women’s football in the state and said efforts were underway to strengthen the team ahead of the 2026/2027 season.