A 12-year-old girl, Faith Nwanja, who was allegedly tortured and mutilated by her mistress, Mrs Nkechi Bartholomew, for being too
stubborn has suffered serious damage in her reproductive system (vagina).
Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development disclosed this yesterday in Onitsha.
The girl, who hails from Okoffia community in Ezza South Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, was tortured, mutilated and abandoned by Bartholomew.
Bartholomew, a childless woman and seamstress, adopted Nwanja and took her to Onitsha, Anambra State, when she was eight years and
allegedly disfigured the girl.
The woman allegedly inserted sticks inside the girl’s private parts which have caused her serious damage to the reproductive system.
Nwanja has 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.
Briefing journalists, Head of Department, Child Development of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Godwin Igwe, said that the health condition of Faith has worsened.
“The child was battered, dehumanized and subjected to degrading treatment by Mrs Nkechi Barth at Onitsha in February. That Child has been undergoing medical examination by team of expert gynaecologists, a team of orthopaedic doctors, a team of expert opmologists because of serious harm inflicted on her reproductive system, her hand, her ear, her teeth all over.
“The woman inflicted injuries on all parts of her body. Last week, her medical examination was concluded and the hospital management said the report will be released to the police as soon as it is demanded”, he said.
Igwe accused the state Police command of refusing to arraign the suspect.
“The woman who perpetrated the crime was arrested by the police. The police had made attempt in March to arrest the woman in Onitsha and she escaped. The woman was taken to court on Monday and she was not arraigned, she was later brought back. The police assured us that the woman will be taking to court again Tuesday (yestersday) which they did not do.
“That woman should be taking to the court of competent jurisdiction for accelerated justice because justice delayed is justice denied.
Preliminary medical reports show that the child will undergo series of plastic surgery because of part of the ear that has been chopped off, the head that has been mutilated, the mouth that has been mutilated”.