Cops arrest factory worker for raping seven-year-old girl

9 years ago

Cops arrest factory worker for raping seven-year-old girl

Photo: Ebute Meta Magistrate Court

The police have arrested a factory worker, Matthew Edide, for allegedly raping a seven-year-old girl.

The incident happened on Adeleye Street, Ojo, Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the 24-year-old Delta State indigene had sent the victim on an errand around 7.30pm on the day of the incident.

Upon her return, he allegedly forced her into his room and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

Our correspondent gathered that after satisfying his urge, the suspect threatened to kill his victim if she told anyone about what transpired between them.

However, on the second day, the seven-year-old was said to have been noticed bleeding in the school, which got the attention of the school authorities.

Her father, who was away at work, was said to have been alerted by the school management.

He reportedly took her home and called a family nurse who made the pupil opened up.

The suspect was arrested and subsequently arraigned on Tuesday before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court on one count of rape.

The charge reads, “That you, Matthew Edide, on June 27, 2014, at about 7.30pm at Adeleye Street, Ojo, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did have sexual intercourse with one (name withheld), aged seven years.”

The police prosecutor, DSP Etim Nkankuk, said the offence was punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant said he was not guilty and elected summary trial.

His defence counsel, Ali Abba, applied for his bail in liberal terms, saying Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution presumed the suspect innocent until proven otherwise.

The police prosecutor announced the presence of the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Monday Ebuzome, of the Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, and the father of the victim.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A.A. Demi-Ajayi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

She added, “The sureties must be gainfully employed and resident in Lagos; must be at least 40 years of age; one of them must be a blood relation of the defendant. Each of the sureties must deposit the sum of N50, 000 into the designable account of the Chief Registrar of the state’s High Court. They must prove substantially their address identity and means of livelihood. They should also present a sworn affidavit of means and their addresses should be verified by the police.”

The case was adjourned till September 24, 2014 for legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.