The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions has recommended the trial of an employee of ExxonMobil, Ikenna Onuoha, charged with raping a 14-year-old niece of his tenant.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr. Jamiu Alako, a senior Counsel from the Office of the Public Defender, informed the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Tuesday that the recommendation by the DPP for the trial was ready.
“The case has been transferred to the state High Court, Igbosere ,’’ he added.
The accused was arraigned on January 14 on four counts bordering on forcible and unlawful sexual intercourse.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate, Mrs. O. A. Ogunbowale, adjourned the case till April 19, 2016, for the court to be presented with documents confirming the transfer of the case from the Magistrates’ Court to the High Court.
She ordered that all pending applications should be filed before the High Court.
Counsel for the accused, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, had urged the court to bar the DPP from making public statements about the case.
Meanwhile, a 39-year-old man, Kazeem Ariyo, was on Tuesday arraigned at an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court, Osun State, for allegedly pouring ‘strange’ water on a prophetess.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Sunday Ajayi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on February 19 on Sabiatu Street, Osogbo.
Ajayi said the accused was having a misunderstanding with the complainant before he poured the liquid substance on her, and caused a breach of the peace.
He said the offence contravened Section 249(d) of the Criminal Code, Cap34, Volume 11, Law of Osun, 2003.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
Counsel for the accused, Mrs. Raji Abiodun, prayed the court to grant her client bail in the most liberal terms.
The magistrate, Mr. Olusola Aluko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with a surety in like sum.
-punchng