A man named Joseph Egwuatu has been accused of raping his two-year-old niece in Nzam, a town in Anambra State, Nigeria.

The incident reportedly occurred when Egwuatu visited his brother’s house and sent the relative who was taking care of the baby on an errand before allegedly committing the crime.

He has since been arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court in Awka.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, expressed sadness over the incident in a press statement and promised that justice will be served.

She also stated that the ministry will soon embark on a media tour to educate the public on the dangers and consequences of rape, child molestation, child labor, abuse, and other related issues.

Egwuatu has denied the allegations and claims he left the baby in the care of the relative and found her bleeding when he returned.

However, a family source alleges that he intentionally sent the baby’s caretaker on an errand before committing the crime. The child has been taken to the hospital for medical attention, and the court has ordered that Egwuatu be remanded in prison.