73-yr-old man remanded over alleged rape of teenager

A Warri South Magistrates’ Court has remanded a 73-year-old man, Joseph Umuluku, over alleged rape.

Magistrate E. O Bakpa-Arukpere ordered the accused to be remanded at the Okere prisons, Warri, while awaiting legal advice from the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

The accused, who is said to be a native doctor, was alleged to have raped a 13-year-old girl (name withheld) who is currently carrying a seven-week pregnancy.

The accused was allegedly caught on June 17 after he had lured the teenager into a common bathroom in a compound which they shared on Giwa-Amu Street, Okumagba Layout, Warri.

Mrs Vanessa Kubenyinje-Ngwu, an Assistant Chief State Principal Counsel, who appeared for the victim, prayed the court to remand the accused.

But counsel to the accused, E.P. Okoro, pleaded with the court to admit his client to bail, a plea which the magistrate refused because of the severity of the offence.

Bakpa-Arukpere adjourned the case till July 11 for mention.