SPI-Law vows to defend Corper, Ufuoma remanded for alleged defilement of six year old girl in Delta

A group under the auspices of the Society of Public Interest Lawyers in Nigeria (SPI-LAW) have vowed to undertake the defence of a Youth Corper, Mr. Godstime Onyemechara Ufuoma who was arrested and remanded in prison custody for the alleged defilement of a six(6)year old girl(name withheld) and ensure that his constitutional and legal rights are protected throughout the proceedings. This is contained in a statement signed and made available to Our Correspondent in Warri by SPI-LAW Director, Media & Publicity, Sadiya Saleh. The group also called on Persons and organisations commenting on the matter to exercise restraint, avoid prejudging the case, and allow the judicial process to take its course.

"In particular, persons should refrain from publicly branding an accused person with criminal labels before a court has determined the allegation.

"SPI-LAW will continue to monitor the proceedings and will take all appropriate legal steps necessary to protect the rights of Mr. Ufuoma and ensure that the matter is determined fairly and in accordance with the law."

According to the group said,"The Society of Public Interest Lawyers in Nigeria (SPI-LAW) has become aware of the allegation and criminal charge of defilement made against Mr. Godstime Onyemechara Ufuoma, arising from an allegation concerning a six-year-old child in Warri, Delta State.

"Following a review of the circumstances surrounding the allegation and the information presently available to us, SPI-LAW has serious concerns about the case and has formed the view that there are serious doubts about the guilt of Mr. Ufuoma. Consequently, SPI-LAW has resolved to undertake his defence and provide him with legal representation throughout the proceedings.

"Mr. Ufuoma was a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving as a teacher at a school in Warri. He was provided accommodation within the school premises and, according to the information available to us, his commitment and conduct were such that the school retained him as a teacher after the completion of his service.

"There was an arrangement at the school whereby, after the teachers had closed for the day, Mr. Ufuoma, being resident on the premises, would remain available to open the school gate for parents who arrived late to collect their children, and thereafter secure the premises.

"It was in this context, according to the account available to SPI-LAW, that a parent who arrived late one day in May questioned the presence of a male teacher living within the school premises and why a male teacher would be left around children after the other teachers had departed. 

"On 3 September 2026, Mr. Ufuoma was arrested by the police and informed that a complaint had been made against him alleging that, sometime in May, he had defiled the complainant's six-year-old daughter.
Mr. Ufuoma has consistently denied the allegation. From the time of his arrest, he has maintained that he did not commit the offence and that he has no knowledge of the alleged incident.

"SPI-LAW is particularly concerned by the account that, following his arrest, Mr. Ufuoma was allegedly subjected to repeated pressure to admit to an offence he consistently denied committing. He has stated that he was encouraged to accept responsibility on the assurance that the matter would be settled if he did so. He refused, maintaining that he could not confess to an offence he did not commit.

"We are also concerned by the circumstances surrounding the taking and subsequent publication of a photograph of Mr. Ufuoma while he was handcuffed. According to his account, an individual identified as Kelvin Ejumudo, who described himself as a human right activist, allegedly took the photograph while Mr. Ufuoma was in police custody. 

"The photograph subsequently appeared on social media and was circulated to bloggers. A statement attributed to Mr. Ejumudo also publicly described Mr. Ufuoma as a “pedophile”, notwithstanding that the allegation against him had not been determined by any court.

"SPI-LAW considers it fundamentally important to emphasise that an allegation is not a conviction. Every person accused of a criminal offence is entitled to the presumption of innocence and to a fair hearing in accordance with the constitution and applicable laws. The determination of criminal guilt belongs to a competent court, after due process and upon the evidence properly presented before it.

"We are further concerned by the circumstances of Mr. Ufuoma's detention. He was reportedly held at Ekpan Police Station for six days before being remanded to Okere Correctional Centre, Warri, on 8 September 2026. He has stated that during his period at the police station he slept on the bare floor.

"On 18 September 2026, the matter came before the Court for review of the remand order and our lawyer was in court to represent Mr. Ufuoma.

"The Court subsequently adjourned the matter to 6 October 2026 for review of the remand order.

"Mr. Ufuoma remains in custody.
SPI-LAW has deliberately refrained from identifying the child involved in the allegation, in keeping with the need to protect the identity and privacy of a minor.

"We recognise the seriousness of every allegation involving a child and the importance of appropriate investigation and protection of children. At the same time, the seriousness of an allegation cannot justify the abandonment of due process, the presumption of innocence, or the right of an accused person to a fair trial."