Amid outrage from human right activists, an Ikeja chief magistrates court on Friday granted a N1 million bail to a trader who allegedly defiled a 3-year-old girl.
Inset photo is for illustrative purposes only
A Lagos-based trader identified Obinna Obaji, who allegedly defiled a three-year-old girl, was today, Friday, March 4th, granted a N1 million bail at an Ikeja chief magistrates’ court siting in Lagos state capital.
The chief magistrate, Taujudeen Elias, in his ruling,ordered the defendant to produce two sureties in like sum as part of the bail conditions, adding that Obaji should deposit N100, 000 into the chief registrar’s account, pending the determination of the case.
On February 29, Obaji, whose business premises is located at 32, Orisumbare Street, Iyana Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos, was arraigned on a one-count charge of sexual assault, but he pleaded not guilty.
Benedict Aigbokhan, the prosecutor, told the court that the defendant committed the offence at his residence on February 21, adding that the defendant was living in the same compound with the victim’s mother.
"It was when the victim, a three-year-old girl, wanted to urinate that her mother discovered that she was finding it difficult to urinate and also crying. The mother saw marks on her daughter’s vagina and when she asked her what happened, the girl said it was the defendant that inserted his hand into it."
The prosecutor said the offence contravened section 404 of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2011. Elias adjourned the case to April 13 for the department of public prosecution’s advice.