Businessman, 30, remanded in prison for allegedly raping girl, 12

An Upper Area Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State on Friday remanded a 30-year-old businessman, Abudulwahab Rabiu, of Mararaba in prison for alleged rape.
The Prosecutor, Jospeh Ahwa, told the court that the matter was reported by the victim and her parents at the ‘A’ Division Police Station on May 14.
Ahwa said that on the same date, while the victim, a 12-year-old girl, was looking for her brother, one Isiaka, in their area, the accused called her.
The prosecutor said that the accused pretended as if he wanted to send her on an errand but lured her to an uncompleted building in the area.
“While in the uncompleted building, the accused forcefully laid her down, covered her mouth with his hand and had carnal knowledge of her against her will,” Ahwa said.
He added that when the victim reported the matter to her elder brother and he approached the accused to question him, the accused threatened to kill him with a dagger.
The prosecutor said that the offence of rape contravened the provisions of Section 283 of the Penal Code.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor asked for a date for the accused to prove his innocence, after objecting to bail for the accused, saying that the matter was still being investigated.
He said that the allegation against the accused was not bailable and that the victim was undergoing treatment.
He urged the court to use its power under Section 183 of the Criminal Procedure Code to remand the accused to enable the police to conclude investigations.
The Presiding Judge, Vincent Gwahemba, granted the prosecutor’s prayers as he ordered that the accused be remanded in prison and adjourned the case to June 17 for further mention.
NAN.