An accused, whose address
is unknown, is facing a charge of child defilement.
The thirty-two-year-old
engineer, Bayonne Lekan, was on Friday brought before Tinubu Chief Magistrates’
Court in Lagos for allegedly raping a minor at a construction site.
Insp. Nurudeen Thomas, the
prosecutor, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in
May at Maduko Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Thomas said the accused,
who is a builder, was working at a site close to the eight-year-old girl’s
house, where he sighted her.
“The girl went to their
neighbour’s house to play when the parents went out and that was where the
accused saw her and lured her to project site to rape her.”
According to him, the
police have evidence to establish that the accused violated the girl.
The offence contravenes
Section 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria
reports that the accused may be sentenced to life imprisonment on conviction.
Lekan, however, pleaded not
guilty to the charge, describing the allegation as “laughable’’.
He said medical analysis
had certified him impotent, adding “I am innocent of the charge as I have never
had an erection in my life.’’
The accused asked the court
to grant him bail, but it was opposed by the prosecutor.
“Your Worship, I am against
granting the accused bail because he can jump bail.
“It is also in the interest
of justice and public safety for him to be kept in detention to prevent a
repeat of such act while this case is still pending,” the prosecutor said.
In her ruling, Chief
Magistrate Kikelomo Ayeye granted the accused bail in the sum N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She directed that the case
file should be duplicated and a copy sent to the State Director of Public
Prosecutions for advice.
The case was adjourned
until Oct.11.
NAN
That his somethin should be cut off mitchew
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