Construction worker in court for raping 13-year-old

The police have arraigned a 29-year-old construction worker, Prince Isioma, before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

The police said the incident happened on the Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos State.

It was learnt that the victim, who lived in the same compound with the defendant, was staying with her sister.

Nobody was around on the fateful day, when Isioma allegedly lured the victim into his room and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

Isioma was arraigned on one count of rape.

The charge reads, “That you, Prince Isioma,

on or about July 3, 2014, at about 12.30pm, at 03, Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did have sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old minor and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and elected summary trial.

His defence counsel, Melda Adebambo, urged the court to admit him to bail in liberal terms.

The police prosecutor, DSP Etim Nkankuk, told the court he was not objecting to bail since the offence was bailable by the state’s criminal code.

“This trend is just becoming too rampant and it is high time something drastic is done about it,” he added.

The defendant’s wife told the court she was not at home when the incident happened.

She said, “I was not at home on the day of the incident because I had gone to work. I am very sad this happened.”

The victim’s sister said, “Her parents are in the village. I am her sister and she stays with me. It’s a face me, I face you house.”

The Chief Magistrate, O.O. Olatunji asked the defendant if he had kids.

Isioma replied, “I am married and I have three boys.”

Olatunji, who expressed shock at the increasing number of rape cases in the state, said, “This is sickening. Most of you probably do this because you don’t have kids that are females. It’s just unbelievable.”

He admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties, each in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till October 15, 2014.

PUNCH