At
Thursday’s resumed hearing before the trial magistrate, Mrs. M.B.
Folami, the girl said she knew Daniel Uzor, who is in the entertainment
industry, at her mother’s shop in Surulere, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
The
victim stated that Uzor promised to groom her to become a star in the
entertainment industry and under this guise, he invited her to his
residence at 10, Joe Ejeye, Jakande Estate, Ejigbo.
She
said on the day of the incident, she went to Uzor’s flat where his
friend, Eni Daniel was already waiting, adding that immediately she
entered, Uzor locked the door to the flat.
“They
came to me and started fondling my breasts and other parts of my body.
They ordered me to remove my dress. They started taking my nudé photographs and threatened to post them on the internet.
“They forced me to suck their penises. They had rounds of séx with me in turns. When they were satisfied, they told me to go. But they did not delete my nudé photographs in their camera phones,” the girl narrated her ordeal.
She disclosed that she did not inform anyone of her experience because of fear that her nude photographs might be posted on the internet.
But
after some days, she summoned the courage and narrated the incident to
her grandfather who took her to the police station to report the matter.
She said when the police arrested Uzor and Eni, her nude photographs
were still in their mobile phones. The photographs were later
downloaded and printed in hard copies. The court admitted them as
exhibits.
The
police prosecutor, Mr. Oladejo Balogun, charged Uzor and Eni before the
court with the offences punishable under sections 409 and 259 of the
criminal code laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011.
At the commencement of the case, they pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.
The trial magistrate, Mrs. Folami admitted them to bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
Uzor and Eni were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail condition.
The court has adjourned the matter till 31 August, 2012 for continuation of the trial.
In
another incident, a 70-year old pastor, Alfred Idonije has been
arraigned before an Egor Magistrate’s court in Benin for allegedly
defiling a 10-year old orphan (name withheld).
The
defendant, who was said to be a pastor of a church, allegedly
forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl on 25 June, 2012
after luring her into his room when he sent her to buy noodles for him.
Narrating her ordeal before the court, the little girl said the accused had ráped her on three occasions and threatened to kill her if she reported to anyone.
Testifying,
the major witness and grandmother of the victim, Mrs. Mary Akhighe,
said the girl is an orphan. She stated that the defendant was their
neighbour who usually sends the victim on errands.
Mrs. Akghibe said on the day of the incident, she saw the victim being séxually abuséd by the accused inside his room.
Counsel
to the defendant, Barrister Osa Uwagie, appealed to the court to grant
his client who appeared frail, bail to enable him seek medical attention
before the adjourned date.
The
presiding Magistrate, Taye Omoruyi, granted Idonije bail in the sum of
N200, 000 with a surety who must be a civil servant from grade level 12.
Counsel
to the victim, Stella Ojeme and Emmanuel Dauda expressed happiness with
the proceedings, adding that the adjournment would enable them present
more witnesses to ensure that justice is done.
Further hearing on the matter was adjourned till 23 August, 2012.
President
of a non-government organisation, Child Protection Network (CPN), Edo
State chapter, Mrs. Jennifer Ero, who facilitated the trial of the case,
urged parents to report cases of rápe to them as this would reduce child rápe cases which she said was on the increase.
“We also want to say to the public that rápe
is happening everyday, and nobody is coming out to talk about it. It is
okay for you to come out and talk about it and for you to take the case
to court,” she advised.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe & Jethro Ibileke/Benin
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