The Enugu State Police Command has arraigned a 29-year-old woman, Chisom Okonkwo, on criminal charges for falsely accusing her husband, Okonkwo Ozioma, of defiling their two daughters. This case, which has attracted significant public attention, unfolded after police investigations revealed that the allegations against the husband were baseless, leading to a criminal prosecution of the wife for defamation and giving false information to the police.
The distressing accusations first surfaced publicly in August 2024, when Chisom alleged that her husband sexually assaulted their children. The case was highlighted on social media on November 5, 2025, renewing public scrutiny. Mr. Ozioma has consistently denied the accusations. Upon investigation, police conducted medical tests on the children which showed no evidence of defilement, directly contradicting the false claims made by Chisom.
According to official court documents, Chisom faces two charges. The first charge accuses her of defaming her husband by publicly accusing him of defiling their daughters, thereby damaging his reputation and subjecting him to public contempt.
The second charge concerns her deliberate provision of false information to police detectives, which led to her husband’s wrongful arrest and detention. Both charges cite specific sections of the Criminal Code of Enugu State covering defamation and false reporting to law enforcement.
An anonymous police officer involved in the case stated, “The test results revealed that the children have not been defiled at all, contrary to the wife’s claim.” This confirmation prompted the police commissioner to direct that Chisom be charged in court for criminal defamation.
Furthermore, it was reported that the children initially cooperated with their mother’s claims, but subsequent police interviews revealed inconsistencies, with some children recanting their initial statements and affirming that their father never harmed them.
Legal experts emphasize the gravity of false accusations in sensitive cases like defilement, noting that such allegations cause untold damage to family members and can undermine public confidence in genuine abuse claims.
False allegations not only jeopardize the accused person’s reputation and liberty but potentially traumatize children involved. There are calls within the Nigerian legal community for rigorous evidence examination and adherence to due process in sexual abuse allegations to protect innocent parties.
This case highlights the complex dynamics in families where serious accusations arise and underscores the significance of thorough investigation by authorities before public declarations. It also stresses the need for public awareness on the consequences of false reporting, which can have grave legal repercussions as seen in this instance.
Moving forward, the Enugu court is expected to hear arguments from both sides, with Chisom facing potential penalties if convicted.
The case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of responsible use of the legal system and the devastating impact false accusations can have on all involved, especially innocent children and their families.
Readers are encouraged to follow court developments closely and to advocate for justice processes that balance protection for abuse victims with safeguards against malicious falsehoods.
In summary, the Enugu woman’s arraignment for falsely accusing her husband of defiling their daughters illustrates the severe consequences of fabricating criminal allegations. It reveals the painstaking work of law enforcement and the judiciary in uncovering truth and protecting innocent lives. The outcome of this case will likely influence public discourse and legal approaches to similar incidents across Nigeria.