Woman Faces Defamation Charge for Falsely Accusing Husband of Raping Their Daughters
In a disturbing twist of domestic conflict, the Enugu State Police Command has charged 29-year-old Mrs. Chisom Okonkwo with criminal defamation and providing false information after she falsely accused her husband, Mr. Okonkwo Ozioma, of raping their two young daughters.
According to SaharaReporters, the accusation stemmed from unresolved marital issues. Chisom raised a public alarm, leading to Ozioma’s arrest.
However, medical examinations confirmed that the children had not been defiled. Shockingly, police investigations revealed that the mother had coerced the children to lie, though the eldest child refused and told the truth, prompting the younger ones to recant and corroborate her account.
The Enugu Magistrate Court has filed a two-count charge (CHARGE NO: CM/861c/2025), citing violations under Sections 325 and 154(1)(a)&(b) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004. The charges detail how the false claims exposed Mr. Ozioma to public ridicule and led to his wrongful detention.
This case underscores the critical importance of the Nigerian Child Rights Act, which guarantees every child the right to protection from abuse, exploitation, and manipulation.
Coercing children to lie about sexual abuse not only violates their dignity but also weaponizes their innocence, causing emotional harm and undermining justice. Children must be shielded from adult conflicts and safeguarded from being used as pawns in domestic disputes.
