Nunavut JP denies bail to man accused in abduction, assault of 12-year-old

Joanasie Nuvaqiq prepares to enter the Nunavut Court of Justice building Aug. 12 in Iqaluit. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)

A 28-year-old Iqaluit man charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in broad daylight on Aug. 8 has been denied bail.

Justice of the Peace Nicole Sikma denied Joanasie Nuvaqiq’s request for release at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit Aug. 12.

The reasons for Sikma’s decision, and for all other evidence she heard Aug. 12, are protected under a publication ban.

Nuvaqiq, about 5’10”, appeared before Sikma with a black eye, a cut under his other eye, and wearing prison-issued sweatshirt and pants.

Iqaluit police issued a statement Aug. 11 that said a man, 28, forced a young girl into a building in the 100 block area of town and sexually assaulted her.

The incident ended when citizens interrupted the alleged assault and held the man until police arrived, the statement said.

Nuvaqiq faces six charges including one count of sexual assault, one count of kidnapping and one count of sexual interference — a sexual assault on an underage victim.

None of the charges have been proven in court.

A kidnapping conviction carries an automatic minimum sentence of five years in prison, while sexual assault conviction carries an automatic one-year prison sentence.

Sikma also imposed a no-contact order on Nuvaqiq: he may not contact the complainant nor any of the witnesses police collected statements from while Nuvaqiq is in remand.

Sikma scheduled Nuvaqiq to appear Aug. 23 before a judge in the Nunavut Court of Justice.