The Anambra state government has arrested Mr. Ike Okoye in Isuofia for allegedly engaging in sēxüal activities with young boys in the Isuofia, Aguata local government area of the state.
The arrest was conducted by the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade.
According to a statement posted Wednesday morning on the official Facebook page of the Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo, the incident was reported to the ministry by the President-General of the Isuofia People’s Assembly, Chief Jude Chikadibia-Okeke.
The President-General revealed that Okoye had been involved in sēxüal activities with young men for a long time but had previously been released by influential people in the state whenever he was apprehended.
Chief Chikadibia-Okeke described how they caught Mr. Okoye over the weekend engaging in inappropriate conduct with boys and young men and promptly contacted the Women’s Affairs Commissioner, who instructed them to detain him immediately.
The suspect, Okoye, a native of Okpoko town, Isuofia, and a retired teacher, initially denied the charges, claiming they were fabricated by his detractors.
However, he later admitted to having, at times, engaged in sēxüal contact with some of the boys but insisted he never engaged in full misconduct as alleged.
He pleaded for forgiveness.
Meanwhile, two of his victims, who requested anonymity, stated that the suspect usually approached them under the guise of offering financial help or paying them for household chores.
One victim, now 25 years old, explained that the suspect first assaulted him when he was 17, and continued to harass him until he involved his mother.
The other victim, 31 years old, stated that the suspect derived satisfaction from inappropriate touching, but he became uncomfortable with the situation.
Both victims confirmed that after they left, the suspect kept pressuring and even threatening them at times.
Hon. Ify Obinabo, along with the Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere, expressed regret over the situation and affirmed the state government’s commitment to ending child abuse and exploitation.
The suspect was handed over to the police for further investigation.
