Date: June 30, 2026 l Reporter: Kingston Nwosu
OWERRI, Nigeria — The Imo State Police Command has come under criticism after allegedly failing to comply with a Family Court order directing it to produce a 70-year-old suspect for arraignment in an alleged child defilement case, prompting concerns from civil society organisations and child rights advocates over the handling of the prosecution.
The case centres on the alleged defilement of a seven-year-old child in Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. Two suspects, Sidney Onyemere, 70, and Godfrey Enyeribe Amadi, 70, were arrested on May 14, 2026, in connection with the alleged offence. Both men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
According to court proceedings, the Family Court in Owerri had issued an order on June 19 directing the Commissioner of Police in Imo State to ensure that Amadi was produced before the court alongside his co-defendant for arraignment. However, when the matter came up for hearing on June 25, only Onyemere was presented, while Amadi was absent.
Police Prosecutor DSP Elochukwu Osegbo reportedly informed the court that only Onyemere's case file had been made available to him and that Amadi's file was "not readily available." Presiding Magistrate J.I. Austin Okeke rejected the explanation, stating that the police could not unilaterally withhold a suspect from court in a serious criminal matter after a judicial directive had been issued.
During the proceedings, the magistrate reportedly criticised the police for failing to comply with the court's order and expressed concern that submissions made by the prosecutor appeared to favour the absent suspect rather than advance the prosecution's case. The court consequently ruled that neither the prosecutor nor counsel representing the absent suspect would be heard until Amadi was produced before the court in compliance with its earlier directive.
The hearing was attended by representatives of several civil society and child protection organisations, including the National Human Rights Commission, the Child Protection Network, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), FIDA Nigeria, the Justice & Equity For All International Foundation, and officials of the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare. Family members of the alleged victim and supporters of the suspects were also present in court.
The matter has been adjourned until July 2, 2026, when the court is expected to determine whether the police will comply with its directive by producing the second suspect for arraignment. Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations is expected to meet with the Imo State Commissioner of Police to express concerns over the handling of the case and to seek assurances that the judicial process will be respected.
The Imo State Police Command had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication. As the matter remains before the court, legal observers have stressed that all allegations must be determined through due process and that both the rights of the child involved and the rights of the accused persons should be protected in accordance with the law.