Court Rejects Bail Application, Remands Two Reverend Sisters In Anambra | Read Details
The Children, S-exual and Gender-Based Vi-olence Court of Anambra State, sitting in Awka, the state capital, has on Monday, remanded two Reverend Sisters of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Reverend Sisters identified as Angela Onyenachi Ibe (42), and Chiemelie Jacinta Yvonne (41), were arraigned on a-4 count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, punishable under sections 495(a) and 386 of the Criminal Code, Cap 36, Volume II, the Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991, and illegal dealings on Children, as well as, fraudulent adoption, punishable under section 30(2)(b) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004.
They however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them
Responding to questions during the arraignment, the two Reverend sisters stated that they both hailed from Imo State, and belonged to a Catholic Congregation, known as the St. Francis of Compassion, also based in Imo State; adding that they were staff members and attendants at the Sam Damian Community Children’s and Old People’s Home, located at Obosi in Anambra State.
In a bail application, on behalf of the defendants, the defense Counsel prayed the Honourable Court to grant bail to the Reverend sisters, on the ground that they were Reverend sisters of the Roman Catholic Church, and would religiously attend their trials, whenever called upon to appear before the Court.
Delivering a Ruling on the bail application, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Genevieve C. Osakwe, described the ground of bail application as very weak, and unknown to Law.
The Honourable Court frowned at and vehemently bemoaned what she termed, the rising cases of illegal adoption and dealings on children, in Anambra State, and called on the security agencies in the state, especially, the police authorities, to extend their search, arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the management of illegal Community Children’s and Old People’s Homes, across the state.
The case was adjourned further to the 29th May and 26th June, 2024, for definite hearing
The Court ordered that the defendants be remanded at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka.
