A 41-year-old man, Nwalobi Fredrick, has been arrested by the police for allegedly impregnating his 16-year-old in-law in Ekwulobia, Anambra State.

The artisan, who is from from Ebonyi State, was arrested after the family of the teenage girl reported the incident at the office of the Women and Social Welfare Commissioner in Awka.

Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Women and Social Welfare Commissioner, Ify Obinabo, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the suspect blamed the devil for the crime.

“Contrary to what the suspect had earlier told the Honourable Commissioner, the 16-year-old girl stated that the incident started after she was kept in her in-law’s care in late January to enable her finish her secondary education since the demise of her mother.

“She explained that it was just a day after settling in his house that Mr Nwalobi first had carnal knowledge of her and ever since has been having his way with her body.

“Upon further interrogation, she revealed that she’s already four months gone, and ever since she became pregnant, her in-law has refused to take responsibility for putting her in a family way.

“Meanwhile, the 41-year-old suspect, who remarried in April after the death of his first wife, says he doesn’t have money to take care of the girl since he now has his own family.

“On her part, the women and social welfare Commissioner, Hon Ify Obinabo, despite the suspect’s plea, handed him over to the Ekwulobia Divisional Police Hq for further investigation.”