Labourer docked for alleged rape of 5-yr-old-girl

A Lokoja Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered that a 36-year-old labourer be remanded in prison custody for allegedly defiling a 5-year-old girl.

Aliyu Lawal was charged before the court with the offence of rape contrary to Section of 283 of the Penal Code Law.

The police prosecutor, Sgt. Friday Shaibu, who read the police First Information Report (FIR), said the matter was reported on January 17, at the Obajana Divisional Police Headquarters by one Usman Zaki of Hausa Quarters, Obajana.

He said while the complainant was in his meat shop in the market on January 16, his neighbour, Lawal, “deceitfully” lured his niece (names withheld), aged five years, into his room.

Shaibu alleged that the accused had carnal knowledge of the girl without her consent “knowing full well that she is a minor.”

The prosecutor submitted that investigation into the case was in progress and asked for adjournment but opposed granting of bail to the accused saying he would commit similar offence, jeopardize police investigation and jump bail.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Levi Animoku, noted that the offence of rape was a “serious crime” and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Koton-Karfe Prisons and transferred the case to Family Court II, Lokoja in view of the fact the victim was a minor.

Animoku said the gravity of the offence against the accused was aggravated by the fact that it was committed against a child of five years describing rape as a social vice now permeating the society.

He said that bail was not granted as a matter of course, adding that as a result of the nature of the offence, the propensity of the accused to escape justice was high.

Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to February 13, for mention.