Human rights lawyer Ikechukwu Obasi has threatened legal action against the Ebonyi State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) over an alleged 12-month delay in issuing legal advice on a sexual abuse case involving a four-year-old girl in Abakaliki.
Key Highlights
- Lawyer Ikechukwu Obasi threatens to seek an order of mandamus against the Ebonyi DPP.
- Police say they forwarded the completed case file to the DPP in October 2025.
- No legal advice had been received as of October 14, 2026, despite a reminder in May.
- Three suspects were arrested; they deny knowledge of the incident.
- Obasi calls on FIDA Ebonyi and child protection agencies to press for justice.
Obasi, in a statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, called on the Ebonyi State attorney-general and the DPP to immediately determine whether the suspects should be prosecuted, warning that he would seek a court order of mandamus to compel the authorities to perform their statutory duties.
The lawyer’s demand follows a disclosure by the Ebonyi State Police Command that it completed its investigation and forwarded the case file to the DPP in October 2025, but has yet to receive legal advice as of October 14, 2026.
The case concerns a girl who was three years old when her mother reported the alleged incident in September 2025. She is now four.
How the Case Began
According to details provided by Obasi, the mother lodged a complaint with the police on September 1, 2025, over an incident allegedly involving her daughter on August 22, 2025, at a residence within the premises of St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki.
The mother reportedly told the police that the child had gone outside to play but returned home limping. She subsequently took the girl to a hospital, where, according to the mother’s account, a medical examination indicated that she had been sexually abused.
The police reportedly arrested three suspects in connection with the allegation: Herbert Obioma Okoro, Nkechi Obioma Okoro and Adanna Obioma Okoro.
The suspects reportedly denied that the child had visited their residence and said they had no knowledge of what happened to her.
The police said the investigation was completed and the case file forwarded to the DPP in October 2025 for legal advice. A reminder was reportedly sent to the prosecution office in May 2026, but the command said the outstanding advice had not been received as of October 14.
Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu said the command would take appropriate action in accordance with the law once the legal review is completed.
‘Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied’
Reacting to the delay, Obasi described the situation as “unconscionable,” arguing that keeping a completed case file pending for more than a year without a prosecutorial decision could undermine the child’s access to justice.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” the lawyer said, stressing that a child of such a young age depends on the state and relevant institutions for protection.
Obasi also said the matter has returned to public attention after humanist and aid worker Ugama Steve raised concerns about the child’s reported medical condition and the pace of the legal process.
According to the lawyer, the child has reportedly experienced further health complications and returned to the hospital for treatment. The specific medical details have not been independently verified.
Obasi urged the state attorney-general and the DPP to issue the outstanding legal advice without further delay and, if a prima facie case is established, ensure that appropriate charges are filed before the competent court and the suspects diligently prosecuted.
He warned that continued failure, neglect or refusal to perform the required public duty within a reasonable time could lead him to seek an order of mandamus.
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The lawyer also called on the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ebonyi State chapter, child protection agencies and other concerned Nigerians to press for a timely resolution of the case.
Citing Section 1 of the Child’s Rights Act, Obasi argued that the delay raises concerns about the protection of the child’s rights and the application of the principle that a child’s best interests must be a primary consideration in matters affecting them.
He maintained that prolonged uncertainty in an alleged sexual abuse case involving a young child can compound the distress experienced by the child and her family.
Although the police have confirmed that the case file has been forwarded for legal advice, the absence of a decision has left the next stage of the criminal process unresolved.
“A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable,” Obasi said. “A three-year-old child deserves justice, not bureaucratic delay. Justice for one child is justice for all children.”
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