Moses Ofodeme
An Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin on Friday remanded one Chuks Etumudom, 42, in Oko Correctional Center for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl.
The Magistrate, Victor Oyekpen, remanded the accused, saying “No plea, No Election” and adjourned the case to March 18 for hearing; adding that the family court would hear the case.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. David Akhigbe told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 5, 2020 at No. 87, Siluko Road, Benin.
Akhigbe alleged that the accused did unlawfully defile the minor.
According to the prosecution, the offence contravened Section 218 of the Criminal Code; Cap. 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applicable in Edo.
The law prescribes life in prison on conviction for defilement of any girl under thirteen.
In another development, the same court on Friday ordered that a 56-year-old man, Yaro Garuba, in Oko Correctional Centre for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Magistrate Victor Oyekpen, who did not take the plea of Garuba, ordered the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions to be reassigned to a family court.
Oyekpen adjourned the case until March 18 for hearing.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp David Akhigbe told the Court that Garuba committed the offence in January in Uromi, north-eastern Esan LGA.
Akhigbe alleged that Garuba sexually assaulted the minor.
The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Section 360 of the Criminal Code, Cap 48,Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria 1976 as applicable in Edo.