Septuagenarian in court for allegedly defiling 11-year-old girl

A septuagenarian, Adebowale Dauda, who allegedly defiled an 11-year-old girl, was on Wednesday hauled up before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, 78, whose address is unknown, is facing a three-count charge of defilement, sexual assault and breach of peace.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Jimah Iseghede told the court that the offences were committed on Aug. 4 at 29, Anipupo St., Pen Cinema, Agege, a suburb of Lagos.

According to Iseghede, the accused called the victim to a lotto shop at the above address under the pretence of sending her on an errand.

"The shop owner does not stay there; so it is only the accused that goes there every day and because of this, it was easy for him to carry out the act.

Iseghede also told the court that the victim told her elder sister when the pain became acute, who later informed their mother.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravene Sections 137, 166 (d) and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 137 prescribes life imprisonment for the offence.

The accused denied the charges.

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, granted the accused a bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

Elias ordered the accused to deposit N200, 000 into the court’s registrar’s account as part of the bail condition and adjourned the case to Sept. 2 for mention.