SAN FRANCISCO, January 15, (THEWILL) – The Zone 2 Police Command has arraigned the 42-year-old James Onuoha, accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in the Ajah area of Lagos State, on four count charge of rape and indecent assault at the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court.
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The Chief Magistrate, O.A. Ogunbowale, however, admitted him to bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum, adding that he should be remanded in the Kirikiri Prison pending the perfection of his bail.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges which read in part “That you, Onuoha James, on January 4, 2016, at about 11.30am, on Samuel Amoore Street, Idowu Estate, Oke-Ira Nla, Ajah, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, willfully did an indecent act to one (name withheld), thereby committing an offence.
“That you did have unlawful sexual intercourse with one (name withheld) without her consent, thereby committing an offence.”
The police prosecutor, Inspector Asu Feddy, said the offences were punishable under sections 134, 258, 135 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.
The defence counsel asked for his bail in liberal terms, arguing that the offence was bailable and elected summary trial.
Ogunbowale granted the application adjourned the case till February 23
However, the Director of the Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, expressed displeasure at the bail saying that the magistrate should not have heard the matter in the first place.
“We have been involved in this case from the onset and it is very inappropriate for the magistrate, who acknowledged that the case was not within her purview, to grant bail. You said something is not within your jurisdiction, and you still granted bail. Why hear it at all?” she queried.
