Kunle Falayi and Temitayo Famutimi
A suspect, Ganiyu Ibiyemi, was on Monday arraigned at an Ebute Metta Magistrates' Court, Lagos, for allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl (name withheld).
advertisement
Ibiyemi, 36, who claimed to be an employee of the Lagos Mainland Local Government, Lagos, is said to be a neighbour of the girl's parents.
The charge against him reads in part that Ibiyemi "unlawfully and forcibly had carnal knowledge of the girl on the 6th of May, 2011, and consequently committed an offence punishable under Section 218 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, 2003."
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Emmanuel Ajayi, said Ibiyemi, who had a daughter that was of the same age as the girl, invited the victim to his room and was playing with her and at a point asked the girl to kiss him.
He said the primary one pupil got scared and wanted to run out of the room when the suspect grabbed and raped her.
PUNCH METRO gathered that the girl subsequently reported her experience with the suspect to her parents.
Although the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, in his purported statement cited by our correspondent, he said he only "fingered" the girl.
His lawyer, Mr. Ali Abbah, applied for his bail, a move, which the prosecutor did not object.
The Magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Olajuwon, who stood in for Magistrate Kemi Doja-Ojo, granted Ibiyemi N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Olajuwon said the sureties must show evidence of tax payment for two years and must have verifiable addresses.
The case was however adjourned till May 25, 2011.
Meanwhile, a 40 year-old-man, Mr. Temenu Olumuyiwa, was on Monday arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrates' Court, Lagos Island, for allegedly conspiring with others still at large to steal six Toyota Hilux vehicles belonging to Papyrus Industries Limited, Ikoyi, Lagos, on April 2, 2011.
PUNCH METRO gathered that Olumuyiwa was an administrative officer in the company, which was jointly established by a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Kola Talabi, who both died of natural causes in February and June 2010 respectively.
The firm engages in transport services and basically deals in conveyance of goods and persons.
It was learnt that the six missing vehicles were moved away from the premises of the firm in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on April 2.
The charge sheet reads in part, "that you Temenu Olumuyiwa and others still at large on April 2, 2011 at about 10:00 hours at Papyrus Industries Limited, Ikoyi, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district did conspire to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 17, Vol. II Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003."
The second count charge also stated that, "Temenu Olumuyiwa and others still at large on the same date and time did steal six Toyota Hilux vehicles with the following registration numbers: AP 801 YEN, AP 802 YEN, AP 803 YEN, AP 804 YEN, AP 483 YEN, AP 444 YEN, all valued at N18m properties of Papyrus Industries Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 17,Vol II Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria."
The suspect pleaded not guilty when his plea was taken. The Magistrate, Mrs. M.A Ladipo, granted him N1m bail and two sureties in like sum.
She added that the sureties must be relatives of the accused and adjourned the case till May 16 for further hearing.
Comments