21st August, 2017
A 32-year-old man, Uchenna Okereke, who allegedly defiled a five-year-old girl, was on Monday granted reprieve by a Surulere Chief Magistrate’s’ Court in Lagos.
He was released on a N200,000 bail.
The accused pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge bordering on defilement.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the offences were committed on July 22, at No. 177, Ajangbadi area of Lagos State.
She alleged that the accused, who was a neighbour to the parents of the girl, lured the girl to his room and defiled her.
The offence contravened Sections 137 and 407 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A. Ipaye-Nwachukwu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ipaye said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused, while the second surety should be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14.
She also directed the sureties to provide evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
The chief magistrate ordered that two passport photographs of the accused should be deposited with the Court Registrar.
She adjourned the case until Oct. 5, pending advice from the Office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions.