3 ARRAIGNED OVER ALLEGED RAPE OF 16-YR-OLD GIRL

By NBF News

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE & CHIDIMMA OKEREAFOR
LAGOS - Three men have been brought before an Ejigbo Magistrate'ts Court, for allegedly abducting and raping a 16-year-old girl.

The suspects are Hassan Asunmo, 20; Niyi Oni, 21; and Lateef Basiru, 26.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Olakunle Shonibare, the adolescent was abducted by the accused persons while going to school and was taken to a place where they had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

Shonibare informed the court that the accused persons committed the offence on November 13 at 16, Adegboyega St., Akesan, Ejigbo in Lagos, adding the offence contravened Sections 225, 357 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The accused persons were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, abduction and rape, but pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

Granting the accused persons bail in the like sum of N200,000, the Magistrate, Mrs. S. O. Solebo, requested for two sureties in like sum each.

A definite hearing on the case was adjourned till January 18, 2011.

In a related development, two persons were last Friday arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate Court, Lagos, following an alleged unlawful confining of an 18-year old girl, Blessing Ukeh, in a building for one week.

The Prosecutor, Mr. James Okorie, said the accused persons, Aibano Ayotunde and Abibatu Sanusi, forcefully deprived the teenager (Ukeh) of her liberty by keeping her in an uncompleted building, with an intention to collect money from her parents.

In his words: 'The two persons, Aibano Ayotunde(49) and Abibatu Sanusi(39), had sometime in May, 2011, at Ayoredex Medical Centre, 66, Boladale St., conspired to confine Ukeh (victim) by locking her up.'

Okorie further informed the court that the teenager resorted to drinking a substance suspected to be petrol during the period of her confinement by the accused persons.

The suspects were charged for an alleged unlawful confining and depriving of Ukeh's liberty, an offence contrary to Sections 517, 365 and 327 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

Bail application of the accused persons was applied for by their counsel, Mr. Olarenwaju Ayo, and it was granted by Magistrate Paul Ojo in the sum of N250, 000 and one surety in like sum each.

The case was adjourned to December 14, 2011 for trial.