By Ikpo Igbinoba
Lagos
A 23-year-old trader, Ifeanyi Ukpha, has been brought before an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Lagos, for allegedly defiling a five-month-old baby.
The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Etim Nkankuk, told the court that Ukpha, who resides at Ilaje village, Ebute Meta West, Lagos, committed the offence on April 21, 2014, at about 1.00 p.m.
He said that the accused, who lives in the same building as the victim’s mother, allegedly inserted his finger into the baby’s genitals when her mother left her in his custody.
According to the prosecutor, “The accused inserted his finger into the baby’s private part as soon as the mother left to have her bath. And as the baby screamed, her mother ran back to the room and saw blood coming out from the child’s private part.”
He said that the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The magistrate, Mrs. A.A Demi-Ajayi, granted him bail in the sum of N1 million and also ordered the accused to provide two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case till May 28 for hearing.
