Wife, Husband Plead Not Guilty To Alleged Conspiracy, Attempted Murder Of 11-Year-Old Chiziterem

By Joseph Egbeocha

A married woman, Chisom Chukwunyere, and her husband, Chukwudi, who, on or about the 9th day of June 2026 at No. 23 Obinna-James Street, Odume, Obosi, allegedly conspired to unlawfully cause grievous harm to an 11-year-old child who was in their care, Chiziterem Frank Ozuruigbo, have pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge brought against them by the Anambra State Government.

According to the conspiracy charge brought against the couple, the first defendant, Chisom, in furtherance of the said common purpose, repeatedly assaulted and burnt the said child with thermally liquefied plastic, while the second defendant, Chukwudi, knowing of the injuries inflicted on the child by the wife, failed to secure appropriate medical treatment for him, and kept him away from school while the injuries healed.

In count two of the charges brought against the couple, they are accused of unlawfully causing grievous harm to Chiziterem by repeatedly beating him and applying thermally liquefied plastic to his body, thereby causing him severe burn injuries and other serious bodily injuries.

In count three, the woman is separately accused of unlawfully attempting to kill the 11-year-old child in her care, Chiziterem, by repeatedly beating him and applying thermally liquefied plastic to various parts of his body, thereby inflicting severe burn injuries and other grievous injuries upon him, which acts were of such a nature as to endanger his life.

In counts four and five, the woman was also separately accused of offensive conduct against Chiziterem, and willfully and knowingly placing the minor in fear of physical injury.

After the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 5-count charge, Counsels for the defendants informed the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court, Awka presided over by Justice Peace Otti that their clients will be going for plea bargain, which the prosecution team did not oppose.

Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, Amara Muojeke and others appeared for the state, while Chief Ugo Ugwunnadi and C.C Udeaja, appeared for the first and second defendant respectively.