Man, 39, remanded in prison for raping a minor

An Abeokuta Chief Magistrates' Court on Thursday remanded a 39-year-old man, Emanuel Ojelade, in prison custody for allegedly raping a 9-year-old girl.

The accused, whose plea was not taken by the court, was represented by a counsel, Mr Adeola Ogunlade.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP Paul Etusi, told the court that the offence was committed on July 16 at 18 Iyana Mortuary Road,  Abeokuta.

He said that the accused and the girl's parents were neighbours.

Etusi also said that the accused called the girl to help him buy beans and when she went in to collect the money, he pushed her on the bed and gagged her with his socks.

'The girl's parent heard her faint cry and traced the noise to the accused apartment and when they knocked, he refused to open.

'The girl's father and other neighbours forced the door open and saw the girl on his bed bleeding seriously,' he said.

The prosecutor argued that the offence contravened Section 218 of the Criminal Code of Ogun, 2006.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Anthony Araba, ordered the accused to be remanded in Oba prison and adjourned the case to  July 25, for further hearing. (NAN)