A 21-year- old man, John Mark, on Monday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos accused of defiling a 14-year-old girl.
The accused, a resident of Ajegunle area of Lagos, is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, threatening violence, assault and defilement.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye told the court that the accused committed the offences at Olodi Apapa area of Lagos on Aug. 13.
He said that the accused conspired with three others now at large, to threaten, assault and forcefully have carnal knowledge of the teenager without her consent.
Kokoye claimed that the complainant was walking on the road when the accused and his accomplices intercepted her.
He explained further that when the complainant refused to follow them, they threatened to stab her with a knife and following which they dragged her into an alley.
“The complainant said that the accused and his cohort took turns to have carnal knowledge of her and when she tried to shout for help, they assaulted her.
“The girl said she was rescued by a man who saw the accused and his accomplices assaulting her.
“The teenager said that Mark was apprehended and taken to the police station, while his accomplices escaped,’’ Kokoye said.
The offences contravene Section 56,137, 172 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 137 prescribes life imprisonment for child rape, if found guilty.
Mark, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti, granted the accused bail in the sum of 200,000, with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned till Oct. 5, for mention.
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