By Chizoba Okeke
The Anambra State House of Assembly has called for the immediate prosecution of Mrs. Chioma Chukwunyere and the arrest of her husband over the alleged brutal abuse of a 10-year-old boy, Chiziterem, a case that has sparked widespread public outrage across the state.
The resolution was reached during plenary on June 18, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Onitsha North Constituency I, Hon. Ifeoma Azikiwe, urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and other relevant agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter, ensuring that all those found culpable are prosecuted in line with the Child Rights Law.
Presenting the motion, Hon. Azikiwe explained that the boy was reportedly sent by his father in January to live with a family from their village, who had promised to care for him and enrol him in school.
She described the alleged abuse as one of the most disturbing cases of child cruelty in recent times, alleging that the child was repeatedly locked in toilets, subjected to severe beatings, torturing with a heated gas burner pressed against his head and face. According to her, the injuries became severely infected, leaving deep wounds on various parts of his body.
The lawmaker also called for the establishment of Child Rights Desks and emergency hotlines in all 21 Local Government Areas(LGA) of the state, alongside whistleblower protection measures to encourage residents to report cases of abuse without fear of victimisation.
Supporting the motion, the Majority Leader, Hon. Sir Ikenna Ofodeme, and the member representing Anambra East Constituency, Hon. Obi Nweke, advocated for an open trial, urging prosecutors to consider charges including attempted murder, torture and grievous bodily harm.
Similarly, Hon. Golden Iloh of Ihiala Constituency II and Hon. Tony Muobike of Aguata Constituency II called for a thorough investigation of the woman’s husband and other residents of the compound to determine possible complicity in the alleged crime.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, who recently visited the child in hospital, described the incident as heartbreaking, stressing the need to strengthen child protection mechanisms across the state.
He directed the House Committee on Judiciary to immediately commence a review of the Child Rights Law while urging local government social welfare departments to be more proactive in responding to cases of child abuse and neglect.
The House reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of children and ensuring justice for victims of abuse.
Chizoba Okeke is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
