Man, 30, rapes 11-year-old girl

Police in Lagos have arraigned a 30-year-old factory worker, Peter Ekom, before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ikeja for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl (names withheld).

The defendant was docked before Magistrate B. O. Osunsanmi over the offence allegedly committed on November 3 at 43, Ariori Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos.

Ekom is facing a count charge of rape made against him by the police.

According to Mr. Kingsley Eboh, husband to the victim’s aunty, Mrs. Elizabeth Eboh, the suspect got hold of the victim when she returned from school and was undressing, then forcibly penetrated her and warned her not to tell anybody.

Eboh said: “He followed her into the room, gave her N100 and asked her to meet him in the toilet but she declined. Ekom requested to collect his money back but she ran away.

“On November 3, at about 2p.m., my 11-year-old primary 3 pupil of St. Paul’s Primary School, Mafoluku, Oshodi, came back from school at about after 1p.m.

“She went to our residence to change her clothes so that she will come to stay with my wife in the shop. She then came back at about 2p.m., panting, with her dress rough.

“She told us that when she got home, she went to the public toilet to urinate and that the accused walked up to her, gripped her, removed her pant, closed her mouth with his hand and forcefully penetrated. She said he left her when he heard a voice.”

In his argument, the prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Imhonwa, informed the court that the defendant should not be granted bail and that he must tell the court his reason for the act.

The prosecutor further contended that the alleged offence was punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The matter has been adjourned till November 13, 2016.