A man has been remanded for allegedly taking the life of his 11-year-old houseboy in a tragic case of abuse. Learn more about the charges and ongoing legal proceedings.
A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Enugu East has ordered the detention of 47-year-old Anthony Onyeukwu following the death of his 11-year-old houseboy, Goodluck John.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Commissioner of Gender, Ngozi Enih, announced that this initiative is part of Enugu State’s continuous efforts to fight child abuse.
Enih mentioned that the arrest of Onyeukwu was prompted by a tip received through the ministry’s whistleblower channels, indicating that Goodluck’s death was due to mistreatment within his household.
Onyeukwu was accused of quickly burying Goodluck’s remains in Abia State without notifying the authorities, asserting that the boy had succumbed to an illness at Park Lane Hospital in Enugu. However, she stated that hospital records disputed this claim, indicating there was no record of his admission or deposition of his body.
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The statement revealed that during last week’s arraignment of the suspect, Police Prosecutor Inspector Calista Ifeanyi contended that Onyeukwu’s actions violate Enugu State’s Revised Criminal Code. She stated that the case underscores the state’s dedication to safeguarding children’s rights and preventing abuse, as detailed in the Child’s Rights and Responsibility Law of 2016.
The charge sheet identified as CME/631C/2024 states: “On October 15, 2024, at approximately 8:30 PM at No. 4 Mike Onyeka Close, Loma Linda Extension, Maryland, Enugu—within the jurisdiction of this honorable court—you Onyeukwu Anthony (male), unlawfully caused the death of Goodluck John (male), aged 11 years. This act constitutes an offense punishable under Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code, CAP 30 Vol. II Revised Laws of Enugu State Nigeria, enacted in 2004.”
The Chief Magistrate then ordered the suspect to be held in remand at the Correctional Centre in Enugu and postponed the case until November 20, 2024, when a report from the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Ministry of Justice in Enugu is anticipated.
