The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) has arrested Cletus Uhuo, a 72-year-old retired health worker from Akaeze village of Nkomoro community, for defiling a 9-year-old primary three pupil in Omege Village, Nkomoro community, Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi state.
Eyewitnesses told NOHR that Uhuo, who is also a titled chief, was caught in the act by a woman in his chemist shop in the village. According to the witness, “It has long been rumoured that the old man, Cletus Uhuo was in the habit of having sex with underage girls in the village. But yesterday (Tuesday) evening, he was caught red-handed while having sex with this little girl inside a small room in his chemist shop at Onuafor Nkomoro, Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi state. A woman who went to buy medicine caught them in the act and quickly made to alert the youth of the village. Unfortunately, before the youth could get back to the shop, the old man jumped through the window and escaped, leaving the poor girl locked up inside his shop still naked. The youth had to force the shop open to rescue the girl but they couldn’t find the fleeing suspected pedophile”.
NOHR was informed that the 9-year-old victim who stays with her grandmother in the village was taken to NOFIC hospital, Abakaliki for a medical evaluation.
A youth leader who asked for anonymity told NOHR that the victim told the youth that she had lost count of how many times the suspect had slept with her. “She said the suspect usually gave her an unspecified amount of money every time she had sex with him and also threatened to kill her if she ever opened up to anyone”
NOHR learned that the suspected pedophile, Cletus Uhuo is married to 2 wives with 10 children and about 18 grandchildren. An official at NAPTIP Head office confirmed to NOHR that the body is currently investigating the incident. “I can confirm that the case is ongoing at NAPTIP Enugu,” He said. The official also confirmed that the suspect is currently on bail having been released on health grounds.
