#JUSTICEFORJUNIOR: NEIGHBOUR POURS HOT WATER ON 5-YEAR-OLD OVER QUARREL WITH MOTHER CASE RETURNS TO COURT NOVEMBER 2ND

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Benin City, Edo State 

This is the height of wickedness.

On Sunday, 20th September, 2026, at No. 43 Aruosa Street, Benin City, 5-year-old Engels Wagbafor Jnr was returning a bottle of drink he had taken. His neighbour, a 40-year-old mother of two, identified as Mrs. Osazeme Osaro, who reportedly had an existing quarrel with Junior's mother, allegedly transferred her anger to the innocent child and poured scalding hot water on him.

The boy is battling severe burns and still receiving treatment.

From Police Station to Court

The incident was reported at Esigie Police Station on the same day, 20th September, and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on 22nd September. 

The case was first expected to be charged to court on 25th September, 2026.

It was eventually arraigned on 28th September, 2026 at Magistrate Court 2, Evboriaria, Oredo Magisterial District as Charge No: MOR/429/2026 - Commissioner of Police vs Osazeme Osaro 'F' 40yrs.

At the end of arraignment, the defendant was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Why Citizens Are Demanding Accountability

Child rights advocates and the family, through a petition dated 28th September, 2026 to the Director, Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State, described the charge sheet as defective and the bail as lenient.

According to the petition, the one-count charge - "That you did pour hot water on the body of one Engels Wagbafor Junior and caused him grievous harm" under Section 261 - omitted that the victim is a 5-year-old child, omitted the words "unlawfully and intentionally", filed only one count instead of multiple counts including Child Cruelty under the Edo Child Rights Law 2007, and did not attach a medical report.

The family also alleged that since the incident, they have been pressured, harassed and intimidated by known and unknown persons to drop the case.

In their prayers to the DPP, they asked the Ministry of Justice to: 

1.  Urgently take over the case from the Police,

2.  Amend and re-file a proper charge reflecting the victim's age and relevant laws,

3.  Apply for review of the bail to include non-contact with the victim's family,

4.  Transfer the case to the appropriate court with jurisdiction for offences against children.

 

NEXT COURT DATE

Concerned citizens have announced that the case is coming up again on:

2nd November, 2026 at Evboriaria Magistrate Court.

They are calling on the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, the Edo State Ministry of Justice through the Office of the DPP, the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development, Office of the First Lady, NBA, FIDA, Civil Society Organizations and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene.

 

CALL TO ACTION: Let the case be charged with proper & vital details.

An adult quarrel should never become a death sentence for an innocent child.

#JusticeForJunior

#JusticeForJuniorBenin

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