ExxonMobil Staff Who Allegedly Raped a Teenager Remanded in Kirikiri Prison

The long arm of law has finally caught up with a child molester and rapist who allegedly had carnal knowledge of a minor after pretending he wanted to collect house rent.

An ExxonMobil staff, James Ikenna Onuoha was on Thursday remanded in Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, by Lagos Magisteriate Court for allegedly raping the 14-year-old niece of his tenant, Chidera Igwe.

According to reports, Onuoha allegedly raped the 14-year-old girl in front of her 3-year-old sister when he visited the girl's house while the parents were away as he pretending he wanted to collect money for house rent. The 3-year-old girl exposed the man by telling the horrifying story when the parents came back.

The suspect was charged to court by the Investigating Police Officer of Zone 2 Police Command Headquarters, Inspector Stephen Agbonedeso, after he was arrested by the Ajah Police Division on Wednesday. With charge sheet no E/05/2015, the suspect was arraigned on a four-count charge for allegedly raping the teenager, which is a punishable offence under sections 134(2), 258, 135(1) and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The charge sheet read: “That you Onuoha Ikenna James on January 4, 2016, at about 11.30 a.m at no 25, Samuel Amoore Street, Idowu Estate, Ike-Ira Nla, Ajah, Lagos, did willfully commit an indecent act on Chidera Igwe, thereby, committing an offence punishable under section 134 (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

“That you Onuoha Ikenna James did have unlawful sexual interclass with one Chidera Igwe without her consent and thereby committed an offence under section 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”

Already, the Director Public Prosecution (DPP), has requested for the duplicate case file, to enable them to investigate the matter.

Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said they are on top of the situation.

She said: “Legal advice will be issued timeously as with all cases of sexual and gender based violence (GBV) and hopefully prosecution will commence at the High Court.”

The defendant was remanded in Prison till February 23, pending the issuance of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) legal advice. Bail was also granted in the sum of N2million and a provision of two willing sureties that can stand in for him.