30-year-old man docked over rape of neighbour’s 5-year-old daughter

A 30-year-old man, Ezekiel Wale, has been arraigned before an Ogba Chief Magistrate Court for the rape of his neighbour’s daughter.

Police said the accused allegedly lured his neighbour’s five-year-old daughter into his one-room apartment at Alakuko area of Lagos, with the promise of offering her biscuits but ended up raping her.

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The accused is currently standing trial on a two-count charge of rape and unlawful carnal knowledge of a child.

The police prosecutor, Benson Emerhi, told the court to prescribe stiffer penalty on the accused to serve as a deterrent to others.

The prosecutor said the accused took advantage of the child when her parents were not around.

“The girl’s mother got to know of the incident when the victim started experiencing excruciating pains. When the mother probed further, the little girl narrated her ordeal.

“The mother reported the case to the police and the accused was subsequently arrested,” he added.

The court did not take his plea after the prosecutor asked the court to refer the matter to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. J.A. Adegun, ordered the remand of the accused in a Correctional Centre at Kirikiri and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP for advice.