After two unsuccessful trials, the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday fixed June 7 for the fresh trial of a 53-year-old farmer, Yesiru Onajobi, who allegedly impregnated his teenage daughter.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Onajobi, a resident of Bogije Street, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, is standing trial before Justice Sule Hassan for incest.
However, prior to hearing of the case by Hassan, the suit had partly been heard by two separate judges.
NAN also reports that Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who handed over to Hassan, inherited the case from Justice Barbara Molokwu, who initially began the hearing.
The accused was re-arraigned on July 8, 2013 before Aneke following the transfer of Molokwu out of Lagos Division.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge, but Aneke, before his transfer, ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Prisons pending the hearing of his bail application.
The trial, instituted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters, had, however, commenced before Aneke with the prosecution calling its first witness.
However, the trial was stalled following Aneke’s transfer, which necessitated the trial starting de novo (afresh) before Hassan.
According to the prosecutor, Kehinde Falade, the accused allegedly committed the offence in 2010.
Falade told the court that after the death of his wife, the accused sexually assaulted his only daughter on several occasions.
She alleged that the accused intimidated and repeatedly, forcefully had carnal knowledge of his daughter, who eventually became pregnant for him.
The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 13 (1) and 18 (a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement Act, 2003.
NAN.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
