17th October, 2016
The 48 years old, native of Umuorishe-Umuohagu in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, was said to have committed the dastardly act on September 21, at his residence, 20, Jacob Odeleye Street, Itire, Surulere, Lagos State.
The accused committed the offence when the victim followed one of his children to watch television at his residence.
In carrying out the heinous act, the source said the accused sent away his daughter and had sexual intercourse with the minor.
Following the cry of the victim, the source said people around apprehended the accused and handed him over to the police at Itire division. Thereafter he was taking to court for arraignment on a two-count charge of unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent treatment of the minor.
The offences, according to the prosecutor, Woman Sergeant Cecilia Onojondor, are contrary to and punishable under sections 137 and 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
Count one of the charge marked: FCL/120/2016 stated thus : “That you Leonard Ekeh, between 20 to 21 day of September, 2016, at about 4p.m.,at 20, Jacob Adeleye street, Itire, Lagos, in the Lagos magisterial district, did unlawfully had sexual intercourse with one (name withheld), 8 years old, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 137 of this Criminal Laws of Lagos of Nigeria, 2011.
Count two of the charge :”That you Leonard Ekeh, on the same date, time, and place in aforesaid magisterial district did indecently treated one (name withheld) aged 8 years, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
However, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Ipaye-Nwachukwu, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200 with two sureties.
One of the sureties must be his blood relation while the second surety must be a Civil Servant on Grade Level 14 and above. She added that the sureties must deposit N50, 000, into the account of the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
All the documents submitted by the sureties are to be verified by the prosecutor.
Chief Magistate Ipaye -Nwachukwu, while adjouring till 12 December, 2016 for trial ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the time he will be able to meet the bail conditions.
Akin Kuponiyi