Mother, stepfather face trial over alleged child abuse

Kehinde Olatunji, 48, and his wife, Odunayo, 42, on Thursday, appeared before an Iyaganku Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting their 10-year-old daughter.

Cpl. Olalekan Adegbite, the Police Prosecutor, told the court that the couple allegedly conspired to commit the crime.

Olatunji, who is a driver and his spouse, Odunayo both of Asanke area, Itamerin , Ibadan, are facing a two -count charge of conspiracy and assault.

“Olatunji, on June 22, at about 6 p.m. was alleged to have unlawfully assaulted his stepdaughter, aged 10, by beating her with canes severally all over her body.”

“The effect of the beating she received resulted in bruises all over her body, which caused her bodily harm.” Adegbite said.

“On that fateful day, the victim went out to help her mother to hawk fish worth N300, but she lost the money, the proceeds from the sale.”

He added, “Odunayo reported the matter to her husband and Olatunji allegedly beat the girl to a pulp with two canes till her cloth was torn, thereby sustaining some bodily harm.’’

The prosecutor said that the girl’s father, Raheem Kehinde, 61, saw her on the road with bruises on her body and reported the matter at the police station.

Although, the couple pleaded not guilty to the charges, the offence contravened Sections 252, 516 and 355 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II, laws of Oyo State 2000.

The magistrate, Mrs Ayobami Akande, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 each, with one surety each in like sum and adjourned the case till July 30 for hearing.

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