26th September, 2013
A 30-year old teacher, Augustine Akpan, who allegedly fondled the breasts of his pupil, an 11-year old girl (names withheld), has been remanded in prison custody by an Ikeja Senior Magistrate’s Court sitting at Abule Egba, Lagos, western Nigeria.
The police arraigned Akpan before the court on a two-count charge of indecent assault and fondling the breasts of his pupil.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Rachael Williams, told the court that the offence Akpan allegedly committed is contrary to and punishable under sections 135 and 261 (2) of the criminal law, volume 44, of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
When the charge was read to Akpan, he pleaded not guilty.
Although the offence is a bailable one, he could not meet the bail conditions in good time.
He was therefore remanded at Kirikiri Prisons, Apapa, Lagos pending when he could perfect the bail papers.
P.M.NEWS learnt that the suspect is the teacher of the pupil in her school and when her parents saw that Akpan is a good teacher, they hired him to give her extra lesson at home.
It was gathered that the girl helped her teacher to carry his bag to his house after the day’s lesson. It was then the teacher allegedly tricked her into his room.
He was about to sexually assault the girl and was playing with her breasts when she raised the alarm that attracted people nearby and the suspect was arrested and handed over to the police.
As at the time of filing this report, the suspect’s sister, it was learnt, was making concerted efforts to secure the teacher’s bail.
Akpan’s sister was said to have blamed the incident on the devil.
According to her, the teacher is a nice person and had his wedding introduction ceremony recently. She wondered what could have led him to commit such an act.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the matter till 15 October, 2013 for mention.
—Moyo Fabiyi