…As three cases begins trials
The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu has approved the establishment of a specialized court for children, sexual and gender based violence offences in the state. The court also began trials on the different count charges bordering on rape and defilement.
News Echo reports that the establishment of the court follows the request by the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Anambra state, Hon Mrs Ify Obinabo. This court designated “Children, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Court Holden” Awka is the first of its kind in the history of the state. This court which is a magistrate court will strictly try special offences that affect children or gender based violence such as rape, child defilement, gender based violence crimes and other related offenses.
The aim is to give accelerated hearing and to ensure speedy justice delivery to such cases. Anambra State is only second after Lagos State among states in Nigeria to have established the Court. On the first day of trial in the Court, three cases which bordered on rape and child defilement began trial which presided by the first Chief Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe. The cases were adjourned to 3rd August, 2022 and the defendants reprimanded at Amawbia Correctional Center, Awka.
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