The Nation Newspaper

Tag: rape

  • Court remands 35-year-old teacher for alleged rape of pupil

    A Gudu Upper Area Court in FCT on Wednesday remanded a 35-year-old teacher, Modibo Akin, in prison for alleged of pupil in toilet.

    The Upper Area Court judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, remanded the defendant till March 6 pending conclusion of investigations and consideration of bail.

    Akin of Destiny Light International School, Jikwoyi in FCT is facing a one-count charge of rape, which he pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Daniel Chuks, told the court that Roseline Ubeka of Jikwoyi phase I reported the matter at Jikwoyi Police Station on Jan 28.

    Chuks said that the defendant was a teacher and also a home lesson teacher for the complainant’s daughter.

    He alleged that on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27, the defendant “inserted his penis’’ into the eight-year -old girl’s private part.

    The prosecutor said that on these dates, the defendant “had unlawful carnal knowledge of her at the school toilet and also had sex with her in the sitting room during lessons.’’

    Chuks said that “his sperm was found spilled on a rag and he threatened her with death if she told anybody.’’

    He also said that during police investigations, “the sperm smeared rag was recovered from her parent’s sitting room.

    He said the offence contravened Section 283 of the Penal Code.

  • Motorcyclist docked for allegedly defiling neighbour’s minor.

    Motorcyclist docked for allegedly defiling neighbour’s minor.

    Pius Okoliko, was on Wednesday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s under aged daughter.

    The accused, a commercial motorcyclist, who resides at Eyinogun Str., Mafoluku, Oshodi, suburb of Lagos, is facing a charge of defilement.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offence was committed in December 2016 at the residence of the accused.

    Ogu alleged that the accused lured the victim, a 10-year-old girl, into his room on the pretext of sending her to buy recharge card for him.
    “On entering the room, the accused shut the door at her and defiled the girl,’’ Ogu said.
    “It was the victim’s cry that alerted neighbours that rescued her.

    “The accused was sighted by one of the neighbours who alerted the police and got him arrested,’’ the prosecutor said.

    The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the accused N200, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Akanni adjourned the case to March 8 for mention.

  • Man in court over alleged rape of minor

    A 55-year-old man, Garba Ali, was on Monday arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly raping a teenager.

    The accused, a trader, who resides at 6, Adeniyi Kayode St., Ilupeju, a suburb of Lagos, was docked on a three-count charge of rape, sexual assault and breach of peace.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offences were committed on Feb. 11 at the residence of the accused.

    Ogu said that the victim, a 13-year-old girl, was hawking cheese cake after school hours when the accused called her.

    “The accused bought N50 cheese cake from her and told her to come back for her money.
    “On her return, the accused lured her to his room and sexually molested her,” he said.

    Ogu added that the victim cried all the way back to her house and told her mother what the accused did.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 166(b), 244 and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned the case till March 13, pending issuance of legal advice by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  • Man, 42, docked for allegedly defiling 12-year-old girl

    A 42-year-old man, Abiodun Inawole, charged with defiling a minor was on Thursday arraigned at a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Inawole, a resident of Block 11, Flat 9, Rabiatu Thompson St., Surulere Lagos, was alleged to have defiled a 12-year-old girl.

    ‎The Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that‎ the accused committed the offence at his residence on Jan. 26, 2017.

    ‎‎She said the accused, who resided in the same block with the victim’s parents, sent the child on an errand and that when she returned he closed the door behind her and assaulted her sexually. ‎

    Osayande told the court that the victim reported what the accused did to her to her mother, hence the arrest.

    ‎She said that the offence contravened section 261(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.‎

    ‎However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.‎

    ‎The Senior Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwachukwu, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.‎

    Nwachukwu ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant of not below grade level 14, while the other must be a community leader or a cleric, with evidence of tax payments and verified addresses.

    She ordered that N50, 000 should be deposited with the court registrar and adjourned the case till March 28, pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP). (NAN)

  • ‘Only 18 rape cases prosecuted since 1960’

    A group, Centre for Advancement of Development Rights (CEDAR), has said only 18 rape cases have gotten a conviction since 1960.

    The group made this known at the presentation of its Family Reform National Case Study through a research Lawyer and Executive Director for a non-governmental Organisation, Spaces for Change, Victoria Ohaeri.

    It alleged that the victims were yet to get justice and the perpetrators either remain at large or go scot free, because “our justice system focuses a lot on punishment”.

    Delivering a paper entitled: Why are Legislations Prohibiting-Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria not Effective? Ohaeri said Lagos in 2015 recorded 4,035 Domestic Violence cases ranging from rape, child abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse, defilement and divorces but little or no convictions were made.

    She quoted the National Democratic Health Survey which says 28 per cent of women have experienced domestic violence.

    Ohaeri said: “Our findings show that churches hold more matrimonial cases than the court. The spiritual leaders who use their discretion or “what God tells them” do not have the expertise. Marriage mediation is a skill and not a calling.”

    CEDAR Director, Joy Ngwakwe called for harmonisation between the customary, statutory and religious laws to be able to effectively carry out justice on offenders.

  • Lagos NAWOJ to FG, states: Pass death penalty for rape

    Lagos NAWOJ to FG, states: Pass death penalty for rape

    … Calls for end to female genital multilation
    The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter, has called on the Federal Government and all state governments to pass death penalty for  rape.

    This call was contained in a communiqué signed by the Lagos NAWOJ Chairperson, Hajia Sekinah Lawal at the association’s February Congress which held in Lagos State.

    The group commended the Lagos State House of Assembly and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for passing death penalty for kidnapping in the state noting that rape is also a big problem in the country.

    “The Police and parents should be ready to report and follow cases of rape to the last conclusion. Mothers should also make sure their grown-up girls were well-dressed as a strategy to curb rape while those found guilty should be sentenced to death in order to serve as deterrent to others,” it added.

    Lagos NAWOJ also called on Federal and state governments to urgently do something about the economy with a view to tackling high inflation, saying access to drugs, medical care and food items is becoming more difficult.

    Similarly, members expressed concern over the likelihood of emergence of fake drugs due to unavailability of the originals.

    The group also commended the first lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari for the women empowerment programme through vocational trainings and called for more empowerment programmes for unemployed graduates and women.

    “A place like Lagos State for instance has a lot of riverine communities; with this, we can have more fish farmers so as to meet the deficit of fish farming in Nigeria,” the communiqué suggested.

    The group urged all and sundry to do everything within their capabilities to end female genital mutilation.

  • Police arraigns man for alleged rape of teenager

    Police arraigns man for alleged rape of teenager

    The Police in Enugu have arraigned one Anthony Ajim, 30, before an Enugu State High Court for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl.

    Ajim was alleged to have had unlawful carnal knowledge of the teenager on July 16, 2016, at No. 9 Egbona St. Topland Awkunanaw in Enugu.

    The Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs Esther Ani, said that the offence was contrary to section 309 of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol. 11 revised Law of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.

    The Defence Counsel, Chief Onyegbuna Uzor, asked for a short date for hearing to commence after the accused person had pleaded not guilty to the charges and the court adjourned the matter to Feb. 28, 2017, for hearing.

    Meanwhile, one Chinedu Nweze who was charged for unlawful possession of firearms told the court that he did not have a gun not to talk of obtaining a licence from the Police.

    Nweze was accused of unlawful possession of one locally made pistol on May 6, 2013, at Idodo-Abakaliki Expressway, Emene in Enugu without a valid licence.

    The offence was said to be contrary to section 3 (1) of Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act R11 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

    In his defense, Nweze told the court that he did not know anything about the gun.

    The accused said that the Police told him a gun had been found in a bag from the car before he was asked to identify his bag.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mrs Obianuju Eze, reminded him that his statement was suggesting that his uncle’s wife was behind the gun found in his bag.

    Nweze said that he could not recall what he told the Police at the State Anti-Robbery Squad as he was battling pains from police gun shot.

    Counsel to the defence, Mr Izevbigie Iyobosa, told the court that he had nothing to ask the accused person and asked for a date.

    The court adjourned the case till April 3, 2017, for the adoption of addresses.

  • Pass death penalty for rape, Lagos NAWOJ tells FG, States

    Pass death penalty for rape, Lagos NAWOJ tells FG, States

    • Calls for end to female genital mutilation

    The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter, has called on the Federal Government and all state governments to pass death penalty for rape.

    This call was contained in a communiqué signed by the Lagos NAWOJ Chairperson, Hajia Sekinah Lawal at the association’s February Congress which held in Lagos State.

    The group commended the Lagos State House of Assembly and  Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for passing death penalty for kidnapping in the state noting that rape is also a big problem in the country.

    “The Police and parents should be ready to report and follow cases of rape to the last conclusion. Mothers should also make sure their grown-up girls were well-dressed as a strategy to curb rape while those found guilty should be sentenced to death in order to serve as a deterrent to others,”  it added.

    Lagos NAWOJ also called on Federal and state governments to urgently do something about the economy with a view to tackling high inflation, saying access to drugs, medical care and food items is becoming more difficult.

    Similarly, members expressed concern over the likelihood of emergence of fake drugs due to unavailability of the originals.

    The group also commended the first lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari for the women empowerment programme through vocational training and called for more empowerment programmes for unemployed graduates and women.

    “A place like Lagos State, for instance, has a lot of riverine communities; with this, we can have more fish farmers so as to meet the deficit of fish farming in Nigeria,” the communiqué suggested.

    In conclusion, the group urged all and sundry to do everything within their capabilities to end female genital mutilation.

  • Man in court for allegedly raping neighbour’s daughter

    A 20-year-old man, Lekan Akinyemi, charged with rape was on Wednesday arraigned at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused, an apprentice who resides at 16, Alhaji Oladipupo St., Oko-Oba, Agege, suburb of Lagos, was alleged to have defiled the 14-year-old daughter of his neighbour.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny, told the court that the offence was committed on Jan. 20, 2017, at the residence of the accused.

    Donny said that the accused called the girl into his room with the pretence of sending her on an errand, but shut the door and raped her.

    He said that the offence contravened Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Davies Abegunde, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

    Abegunde adjourned the case to Feb. 27 for mention. 

  • Man bags life for rape

    Man bags life for rape

    An Ado-Ekiti High Court yesterday has sentenced a 20-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping a four-year-old girl.
    Prosecution counsel Femi Onipede told the court that the accused committed the offence on August 3, 2015 at Isaba Street, Ilupeju-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area.
    He said the accused defiled the girl which led to her hospitalisation.
    The defence counsel urged the court to disregard the prosecution’s evidence.
    Justice John Adeyeye said the accused’s confessional statement and other corroborative evidence reinforced the conviction.