Police arraign man, teenage boy, over alleged abduction, rape

A man and a teenage boy on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly abducting and raping a 14-year-old girl.

The accused are Praise Essien, 21, and a 17-year-old boy (names withheld).

Both are apprentices and live at Irepodun Close, Shasha, a suburb of Lagos.

They are being tried for conspiracy, abduction and rape.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny, told the court that the offences were committed between Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 at the residence of accused.

Donny said that the accused abducted the victim, a 14-year-old girl, on her way home at Bester St., Akowonjo, Lagos, and took her to their residence.

“The second accused, the 17-year-old boy, was the one that raped the girl,” he said.

Donny said that the accused released the girl the next day.

The offences contravened Sections 259, 267 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Davies Abegunde granted the accused N100,000 bail each with two sureties in like sum.

Abegunde adjourned the case to March 16 for mention.