Man arraigned for raping 12-year-old daughter

A middle-aged man, Mr Tajudeen Atowoatomo, was on Monday, arraigned before an Osogbo magistrates’ court for alleged rape of his 12-year-old daughter (name withheld).

Atowoatomo was alleged to have had carnal knowledge of his daughter on September 16, 2012, at Eesa’s compound, Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State at about 1.00a.m.

The police prosecutor, Mr Elisha Olusegun, a sergeant, told the court that the accused forcefully defiled his daughter, knowing fully that she was his biological child, thereby committing an offence punishable under the law.

Mr Olusegun also informed the court that the accused had through his action committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 218 of the criminal code cap 34 Vol. 11 laws of Osun State, 2003.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge levelled against him and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Also, counsel for the accused, Mrs N. Nnena, urged the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal term, arguing that the accused should be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved.

Mrs Nnena also assured the court that the accused would not jump bail if granted and was ready to provide credible sureties if granted bail.

The presiding magistrate, Mr Adewumi Makanjuola, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He thereafter transferred the case to the magistrate courts’, Ikirun, for further hearing on the matter, saying the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case since the offence was committed in Ikirun where there was a court of competent jurisdiction.