A 70 year-old man identified as Anthony Mgbenwa Okpara, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old deaf and dumb girl to death in Enugu State at Aborjieze village in Umuagu-Inyi Autonomous Community in Oji River Local Government Area on September 23.
According to residents of the communuty. the victim whose name was given as Uche, died after she was defiled by the suspect.
“The girl’s body is in the mortuary as we speak and we want this matter to be determined in law of competent jurisdiction to serve as a deterrent to other perpetuators,” A source told The Sun
The suspect who was arrested after a report was filed with the police, is currently being detained at the Enugu State Police Command Headquarters.
The residents of the community say they are determined to get justice for the young girl whose parents are said to be very poor as the suspect may want to buy his way out of being prosecuted.
‘’I mean that she was sexually molested to the point that the little girl lost her life immediately after the act. The interest in this matter is that the parents of this young girl are wretched and poor and the girl a minor, deaf and dumb, at the same time, she is dead due to this act. Now, Mr Anthony Mgbenwokpara ran away immediately he got wind of the death of this girl. However, after series of persuasions, he came and submitted himself to the police. Mr Anthony Mgbenwa Okpara and the family while in Police custody were using monetary inducements against the wretched parents. We are also suspecting that they will do the same with the Police.” a community member who spoke on condition of anonymity said