LAGOS – A 45-year-old man, Chimezie Omenuko, who allegedly defiled his friend’s six-year-old daughter, on Friday, appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Omenuko, who resides at No 56, Enoma St., Ago-Okota, Isolo, Lagos, is facing one count charge of defilement.
The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Jan. 14 at 7:00 p.m. at his residence.
Osayande said that the victim was defiled after she was left with the wife of the accused by her mother, who had to attend to some other matters.
She alleged that when the accused noticed that his wife was not around, he carried the girl to his room and had carnal knowledge of her.
Osayande said the victim’s mother, on her return home, was shocked on seeing blood stains on the girl’s pants, asking what had happened to her.
“She then narrated what the accused did to her and the mother reported the case immediately to the police, following which the accused was arrested,’’ she said.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 137 of the law prescribes life imprisonment for child rape.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Arike Ipaye- Nwachukwu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said one of the sureties should be a civil servant and the other surety should be a community leader.
Ipaye-Nwachukwu said the sureties should provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She said the case file should be duplicated, a copy of which should be sent to the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
Ipaye-Nwachukwu adjourned the case to March 13 for mention.
