Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development yesterday revealed that reproductive system of a 12-year-old girl, Faith Nwanja, who was tortured by her madam, had been damaged. Nwanja was allegedly tortured and mutilated by her mistress, Mrs. Nkechi Bartholomew, for being stubborn.
The girl, who hails from Okoffia community in Ezza South Local Government Area, was tortured and abandoned by Bartholomew. Bartholomew, a childless woman and seamstress, adopted Nwanja and took her to Onitsha, Anambra State, when she was just eight years but later disfigured her.
Bartholomew allegedly inserted sticks inside the girl’s private parts, causing serious damage to her reproductive system. Nwanja also sported shocking scars and injuries all over her body, including eyes, mouth and head. She also has bloodied mouth and has lost one of her hands to torture.
The Head of Department, Child Development of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Godwin Igwe, said the health condition of Nwaja had worsened.
He said: “The child was battered, dehumanised and subjected to degrading treatment by Bartholomew in Onitsha in February. She has been undergoing medical examination by a team of experts including gynaecologists, orthopaedic doctors and opmologists because of serious harm inflicted on her reproductive system, her hand, ear and teeth.
“The woman inflicted injuries on all parts of the girl’s body. Last week, her medical examination was concluded and the hospital management said the report would be released to the police as soon as it was demanded.” Igwe accused the police of refusing to arraign the suspect, stressing that the woman was arrested and taken to court, but was never arraigned.
He added: “The police assured us that the woman would be taken to court again today (Tuesday), but they also didn’t take her. Bartholomew should be taken to court of competent jurisdiction for accelerated justice because justice delayed is justice denied. Preliminary medical reports show that the child will undergo a series of plastic surgery because of part of the ear that has been chopped off, the head that has been mutilated, and the mouth too has been mutilated.”
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