A father of four, Leonard Ekeh, has been arraigned before a Lagos Chief Magistate’s Court, sitting at Bode Thomas, for allegedly raping an eight year-old minor (name withheld)
The 48 years old, native of Umuorishe-Umuohagu in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, was said to have committed the dastardly act on September 21, at his residence, 20, Jacob Odeleye Street, Itire, Lagos.
A source privy to the incident, said the accused committed the offence when the victim followed one of his children to watch television at his residence.
In carrying out the heinous act, the source said the accused sent away his daughter and had sexual intercourse with the minor.
Upon the cry of the victim, the source said people around apprehended the accused and handed him over to the police at Itire division, where he was taking to court for arraignment on two counts charge of unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent treatment of the minor.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Woman Sergeant Cecilia Onojondor, who stood-in for Woman Sergeant Antonia Osiyeyede, are contrary to and punishable under sections 137 and 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
Count one of the charge marked: FCL/120/2016 reads: “that you Leonard Ekeh, in between 20 to 21 day of September, 2016, at about 4p.m., 20, Jacob Adeleye street, Itire, Lagos, in the Lagos magisterial district, did unlawfully had sexual intercourse with one (name withheld), 8 years old, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 137 of this Criminal Laws of Lagos of Nigeria, 2011.
Count two of the charge reads: ” that you Leonard Ekeh, on the same date, time, and place in aforesaid magisterial district did indecently treated one (name withheld) aged 8 years, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
However, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Ipaye-Nwachukwu, admitted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties.
One of the sureties according to the presiding Chief Magistate, must be his blood relation while the second surety must be a Civil Servant on Grade Level 14 and above. Adding that the sureties must deposit the sum of N50, 000, to account of the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
All the documents submitted by the sureties are to be verified by the prosecutor.
The Chief Magistate ordered that the accused be remanded pending the time he is able to meet the bail conditions. While the matter is been adjourned till December 12, 2016, for trial.
