A 35-year-old lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor who is accused of brutalizing her house help has pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge brought against her at the Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court in Awka by the Anambra State Government.
Adachukwu is accused of willfully and unlawfully inflicting physical injuries on 11-year-old Happiness Nwafor with a cane, hot electric iron and a hot kitchen knife, an offence contrary to section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Protection, VAPP, Law 2017.
She is also accused of inflicting grievous harm on Miss Nwafor, an offence contrary to section 290 of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Volume II Revised Laws of Anambra State, 1991.
Also brought against the defendant is alleged deprivation of Miss Nwafor’s’ liberty by detaining her inside the toilet without food and water; while tying her two legs, hands and mouth with clothes, an offence contrary to section 12(1) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Protection Law 2017.
Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, Principal State Counsel, Jerry Emebie, and Senior State Counsel, Vivian Anyaene, are representing the state, while Barrister Chijioke Nwankwo is representing the defendant in the suit.
After Mrs Okafor pleaded not guilty to the charges, the Presiding Judge, Justice Peace Otti, who also listened to submissions of the prosecution and defence counsels, adjourned the matter to 30th July for hearing and ruling on the bail application of the defendant.