The Iponri Police Division, Lagos State, has taken a 47-year-old man, John Avu, before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, for allegedly defiling a seven-year-old girl (name withheld).
The incident happened on Omole Street, Ilaje, Ebute Meta West area of the state.
The police said Avu raped the victim on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.
It was learnt that the defendant and the victim lived within the same neighbourhood.
Things went on fine until the fateful day when the victim played with Avu baby until she slept off in her arms.
She was said to have taken her back to her parent’s house. But nobody was at home except the child’s father (Avu).
She had reportedly dropped the child on the bed and turned back to go home, when she saw that Avu had bolted the door.
The defendant allegedly covered her mouth, undressed her and raped her while she wriggled under his weight.
It was learnt that when Avu was done, the little girl kept shouting which attracted the attention of some people within the compound who freed her from the defendant.
Our correspondent learnt that the victim’s parents were not at home at the time of the incident.
The victim’s uncle was said to have gone to the Iponri Police Division to report the matter.
A medical test reportedly confirmed that there was penetration and the victim’s hymen was broken.
The defendant was arrested and arraigned on one count of rape.
The charge read, “That you, John Avu, on January 21, 2014, about 6.30pm, at 2, Omole Street, Ilaje Ebute Meta West, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did defile one (name withheld), aged seven years, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The magistrate, Ms S.O Solebo, remanded him in prison. The matter was adjourned till February 26, 2014.
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