An Ogudu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, on Thursday remanded a 22-year-old painter, Ifeanyi Onyega, in Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly raping his neighbor’s 16-year-old daughter.
The magistrate, M.O. Tanimola, who did not take Mr. Onyega’s plea, ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
Mrs. Tanimola then adjourned the case until October 21 for the DPP’s advice.
The defendant, who resides at Adebimpe street in the Kosofe area of Lagos, is facing a one-count charge of defilement.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Donjour Perez, told the court that the defendant committed the offense on July 31, at his residence.
Mr. Perezi said the defendant invited the victim to his room on the pretext of sending her on an errand, but instead forcefully had sex with her.
He said the defendant also threatened to harm her if she told anybody.
“The girl, however, told her mother and the case was reported to the police,” the prosecutor said.
He said the offense contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. that Section 137 prescribes life imprisonment for defilement.
