78-year old man in court for allegedly raping 11-year-old

A septuagenarian, Adebowale Dauda, who allegedly raped 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, Jimah Iseghede, a police sergeant, told the court that the offences were committed on August 4 at 29, Anipupo St., Pen Cinema, Agege, a suburb of Lagos.

According to Mr. 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.

“The accused assaulted the child eight times and told her that she would die if she tells anyone,” he said.

Mr. 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.

Section 137 of the law prescribes life imprisonment for the offence.

The accused denied the charges.

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

Mr. 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 September 2 for mention.