A 30-year-old trader, Emeka Okafor, who allegedly defiled the five-year-old daughter of his co-tenant, on Wednesday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Okafor, 29, who resides at Tedi Danzer area of Abule Osun in Lagos, is standing trial for child rape.
The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Anyanwu told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 13, at his residence.
Anyanwu explained that the accused, who lives in the same building with the parents of the minor, lured the child to his room and inserted his finger in her private part.
“Okafor capitalised on the innocence of the child and put his finger in her virgina and thereby caused her injuries,” Anyanwu said.
The prosecution submitted that the offence is in contravention of Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
Okafor, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him.
The magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa, order that the file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Section 137 prescribes life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of child rape.
Aje-Afunwa granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to Oct. 10 for DPP’s advice.
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