*She is not 15, but 21 – Suspect
By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
A 45 years old teacher whose name was given as Onyibe Paul has been accused of impregnating a 15-year old former student of his school.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ebonyi State, SP Chris Anyanwu stated this in Abakaliki, while parading the suspect, Paul Onyibe.
Mr. Anyanwu stated that the suspect is a teacher in Abarigwe Primary School, Ishieke in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to him, Mr. Onyibe impregnated a 15-year-old girl who he taught in his school.
The victim whose name was given is Ezinne Ukpai, was said to be in JSS 3 before dropping out to go and learn a trade.
He further added that the victim is currently receiving treatment at Fistula Centre of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki while investigation is ongoing to unravel the truth behind the matter.
“The state CID, Ebonyi State Command is currently investigating a case of a teacher whose name was given as Paul Onyibe from Abarigwe Primary School, who was alleged to have impregnated a girl he taught some time ago.
“The girl is said to be in JSS 3 now, but she is a minor; a 15 years old girl. This case is undergoing investigation. As I am talking to you now, they victim is receiving medication at the fistula Centre of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital.
“The suspect has been arrested. The case before us is defilement because she a minor. The victim is Ezinna Ukpai from Abarigwe Ishieke in Ebonyi Local Government Area”, Anyanwu said.
In an interview with the accused person, Mr. Paul Onyibe, he stated that the young girl, Ezinne Ukpai is 21 years old and not 15 as claimed by the police.
He also stated that he has been training the girl from JSS 1 to 3, where she dropped out in order to go and learn work, which he paid 40,000 Naira for her to learn for two years.
Mr. Onyibe further admitted that he has been having conjugal relationship with her, which was responsible for her pregnancy, saying that she indicated interest to marry him.
“Why I am here is because of the girl called Ezinne. I have been training her from JSS1 to JSS3. In her JSS3, she said she wants to go and learn work. I took her last Monday to where she will learn work. After reaching agreement with them, they said I should pay 40,000 for the two years training.
“Day before yesterday, she called me that she is not well. She said I should not tell her sister. l
later called her in the morning and she said she had recovered well and waa on her way to the shop.
“When I was in the school, around after 11-12:00pm, she called and told me that the thing has started again. I took permission from school to take her to mile 4 hospital but she said no, that we should go to a chemist.
“I asked the chemist to check wether she is pregnant, she took the sample of her urine and later discovered she is pregnant. And because of that, instead of giving her Lucozade boost, she gave her ordinary lucozade.
“She is not 15, but 21 years old. Before now, I didn’t have interest to marry her; it was last month she came to me and indicated interest to marry me. She has been living with my sister since last term. I am responsible for the pregnancy,” he admitted.
