Man in court over alleged sexual assault on friend’s daughter

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, yesterday commenced the trial of a 35-year-old man, Ugochukwu Onyebuchi, alleged to have sexually assaulted his friend’s daughter.

Onyebuchi, a trader, residing at 14, Olawale Street, Egbeda, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assault.

The prosecutor, Clifford Ogu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on January 28 at 9, Atitebi Street, Ayobo in Lagos.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ogu, while narrating what transpired, said the accused went to visit his friend (the complainant) at home, but did not meet him.

He said that Onyebuchi met his friend’s wife and children at home and decided to wait to see his friend.

“The accused sent two of his friend’s children to buy biscuit, while their mother was washing clothes at the back yard,” adding that
while the accused was alone with his friend’s three-year-old daughter, he placed her on his lap and put his finger into her private part.

“The mother, who later came inside the room, caught the accused with his finger inside her daughter’s private part and she raised alarm.”

Ogu said that the accused was subsequently apprehended and handed over to the Police.

The offence, he said, contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Akanni, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N250, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

Akanni adjourned the case until February 16 for mention.