A 52-year-old Angela Nzewi was arraigned before the Children, segxwal and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka, for allegedly using 13 children to solicit for alms.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Insp. Chinyere Okechukwu, the accused who hails from Otolo Nnewi, committed the offence on December 21, 2024 at Nnewi.
“That you, Angela Nzewi of Otolo Nnewi, on December 21, 2024, did obtain 13 children for the purpose of soliciting for alms,” she said.
Okechukwu said the offence contravened Section 33(1) of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State 2004.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs U.E. Onochie, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000, with a surety in like sum.
She adjourned the case until March 19, for hearing
Dr Babatunde Olajide, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on e-GIS and Planning Matters, emphasised that the state government, through the governor, was the sole authority on land matters within the state, as stipulated by the Land Use Act.
He said that the state had a master plan for the area, adding that unauthorised sand filling and land reclamation had disrupted the organised development the state envisioned.
He appealed to the residents to co-operate with the state government, saying that the government was there to serve them and needed their cooperation to do so effectively.
He said that the government had received complaints about illegal extensions in the area and had set up a committee headed by the Mr Olalekan Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, to investigate.
Mr Olalekan Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Lagos State, said that the estate, which was once a source of pride and a premium property location, was losing its status due to negative environmental impacts.
This, he said, was the reason the government intervened to restore order and prevent further degradation.
He also confirmed that the governor directed his Special Adviser on e-GIS and Planning Matters and the Office of Urban Development to conduct an assessment of the situation.
The Chairman, Banana Island Association, Mr Abidemi Sonaike, expressed willingness to co-operate with the government and other stakeholders to resolve issues on the estate.
He expressed satisfaction at the government’s initiative in calling the meeting, saying it was a positive first step toward collaboration.
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