An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Thursday, remanded a 22-year-old painter, Ifeanyi Onyega, in Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 16-year-old daughter.

Magistrate M.O. Tanimola did not take Mr Onyega’s plea, ordering that the case file should be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

Mrs Tanimola then adjourned the case until October 21 for the DPP’s advice.

The defendant is facing a one-count charge of defilement.

Donjour Perezi, the prosecutor, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on July 31, at his residence.

Mr Perezi said that the defendant invited the victim to his room on the pretext of sending her on an errand, but instead forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.

He said that the defendant also threatened to harm her if she told anybody.

“The girl, however, told her mother and the case was reported to the police,” the prosecutor said.

He said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 137 prescribes life imprisonment for defilement. 

(NAN)