Islamic school teacher arraigned over alleged defilement of 8-year-old pupil

   

A primary school teacher, Abdukadiri Olaitan, on Tuesday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, charged with defilement of an eight-year-old girl.

Olaitan, 23, who resides at No. 1 Ajisegiri St, Ilupeju, Lagos, is standing trial on a charge of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

The Prosecutor, ASP Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 19, 2013, at his residence.

He said that the accused, who teaches at the New Horizon Islamic School, Okearin, Ilupeju, Lagos, took advantage of his eight-year-old pupil and had sexual intercourse with her.

“He capitalised on her lack of good guardianship and exploited her,” the prosecutor said.

Anyanwu said that  the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

However, the accused denied the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa, said that though the offence attracted life imprisonment, the accused would be admitted to bail.

She said: “The offence is a serious one and attracts life imprisonment; it is, however, bailable, but the conditions will be stringent.

“The defendant is hereby admitted to a bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

“The sureties must own residential property in Lagos State and one must be a recognised community or religious leader while the other must be a blood relation of the defendant.’’

The chief magistrate added that the sureties must both show evidence of tax payment and gainful employment.

Aje-Afunwa adjourned the case to May 12 for further hearing. (NAN)