Applicant held over rape 19-year-old

A High Court in Apo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday ordered that an applicant, Emeka AkIle, 31, who allegedly raped a 19-year-old woman be remanded in a correction centre, pending sentencing. Justice Olukayode Adeniyi ordered that Akile be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kuje. Adeniyi, who adjourned the matter until Oct. 8 for […]

A High Court in Apo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday ordered that an applicant, Emeka AkIle, 31, who allegedly raped a 19-year-old woman be remanded in a correction centre, pending sentencing.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi ordered that Akile be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kuje.

Adeniyi, who adjourned the matter until Oct. 8 for sentencing, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the convict committed the crime.

“I hereby enter a verdict of `guilty’ for him,’’ the judge said.

He said: Based on the evidence before the court, the prosecution has proved the charge of rape against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.

“The convict is hereby declared guilty and remanded in Kuje Prison custody till Oct. 8 for sentencing”.

The convict, who was arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) had denied committing the offense.

Mr Malik Esomi, the NAPTIP counsel, said that the convict raped the 19-year-old in Lugbe, Abuja.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 1 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.

Emeka was arraigned in court on March 16, 2016. (NAN)