A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Enugu East has remanded Anthony Onyeukwu, 47, in connection with the death of his 11-year-old houseboy, Goodluck John.
Ngozi Enih, the Commissioner of Children, Gender, and Social Development, stated in a statement on Sunday that this step “is part of Enugu State’s ongoing efforts to combat child abuse.”
Enih stated that Onyeukwu’s arrest was the result of a tip from the ministry’s whistleblower channels, implying that Goodluck’s death was caused by maltreatment in his household.
Onyeukwu was accused of rapidly burying Goodluck’s remains in Abia State without reporting the death to authorities, claiming the kid died of an ailment at Park Lane Hospital in Enugu.
However, she stated that hospital records contradicted her assertion, indicating that the corpse was not admitted or deposed.
The statement stated that during the suspect’s arraignment last week, the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Calista Ifeanyi, argued that Onyeukwu’s actions are punishable under Enugu State’s Revised Criminal Code, stating that the case highlighted the state’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and preventing abuse, as outlined in the Child’s Rights and Responsibility Law of 2016.
The charge sheet marked CME/631C/2024 read, “That you, Onyeukwu Anthony,’m’ on 15th day of October 2024, at about 20:30 hours at No. 4, Mike Onyeka Close, Loma Linda Extension, Maryland, Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, unlawfully killed one Goodluck John’m’ aged 11 years and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, CAP 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”
The court subsequently ordered the suspect’s remand in the Correctional Centre, Enugu, and adjourned the matter to November 20, 2024, when the report from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Enugu, would be expected.
