A 31-year-old man identified as Malami Yusuf, arraigned for allegedly luring an 11-year-old girl (name withheld) to a market place and defiling her, was on Tuesday granted 500,000 bail by an Apapa Magistrates’ Court.
The police in charge of the case, Insp. Tony Elibeh, explained to the court that the accused committed the crime on April 17 at Rago Market, Ojo, Lagos.
Elibeh said the girl was taken to the back of a building at the market place by the accused who forcefully took advantage of her without her consent.
Elibeh said, “The accused was caught by a man, who saw him having carnal knowledge of the girl.
“The man immediately rescued the girl and called some market women to help her.
“The accused was badly beaten up by an angry mob, before the police came by to arrest him.”
The Senior Magistrate, Patrick Adekomaiya however, asked the accused to produce two sureties who are gainfully employed as part of the bail condition.
He said the sureties must provide evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The accused pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge bordering on defilement and sexual assault.
The prosecutor pointed out that the offences were in violation of Section 137 and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 which prescribes life imprisonment for child rape.
The matter was adjourned till Aug. 31 for mention.
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