Man, 60, remanded for defiling 10-year-old girl

A 60-year-old man, Bashiru Taiwo, has been remanded in prison on the order of a Chief Magistrate’s court, Ogba, Lagos, for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a 10-year-old girl.

Taiwo, who is standing trial on a twocount charge of defilement and assault, may be jailed 10 years if found guilty.

The police said that the incident happened at Ibidun Street, Surulere, Lagos, where the accused person and the girl's parents reside.

The prosecution, Inspector Christopher John, alleged that Taiwo lured the girl into his apartment under the false pretence of sending her on an errand.

John added that as the girl, who did not suspect any foul play, went in, the accused person locked the door from inside while warning her not to raise any alarm. The prosecutor said Taiwo then forced the girl onto his bed and defiled her.

The prosecutor said that during interrogation, the girl revealed all that happened and the accused person did not deny the girl’s claims.

The court did not take Taiwo’s plea after Inspector John informed the court that it was a case of defilement that would need legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecution before the matter would go on.

Thus, the magistrate, Mr Peter Nwaka, ordered the accused person remanded in prison custody without an option of bail.

The court also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP for advice.

The matter was adjourned till May 1, 2019.