A magistrates’ court in Makurdi, Benue State capital, has ordered that a teacher, Aondonga Tiza, be remanded in a correction facility for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl in Benue.

The police charged Mr Tiza, who lives in Jato-Udum Alaide North Gwer East LGA Benue, with criminal intimidation and defilement.

Magistrate Adah Jack did not take the plea of Mr Tiza for want of jurisdiction.

She ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Makurdi Correctional Centre pending further investigations.

Ms Jack adjourned the case until August 28 for further mention.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Insp James Ewache, told the court that Agena Tersoo of Jato-Udum Alaide LGA reported the case on July 8 at the Aliade police station in Benue.

He said the complainant is the brother-in-law of the victim’s mother.

The police said Mr Tiza threatened to harm the minor if she told anyone.

Mr Ewache said the investigation was ongoing and prayed the court for another date for mention.

He said the offence contravened sections 398 and 284 of the Penal Code law of Benue 2004.

(NAN)