Father remanded for impregnating 14-year-old daughter

A 36-year-old father, Jamiu Ajao, who allegedly impregnated his 14-year-old daughter, was on Monday in Lagos remanded in prison.
Ajao is facing a two-count charge of defiling, unlawful and indecent assault at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The Chief Magistrate, S.O. Solebo, said the accused should be kept behind bars pending advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions.
The prosecutor, Inspector R. Odigie, had told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime between October 23 and December 21, 2013 at his residence.
Odigie said the accused had picked his daughter, a school dropout, from her grandmother’s house on October 23 and took her to his house.
He added: “The accused and the victim’s mother were separated, but he has another woman, who stays with him.
“The daughter sleeps in the living room, while her stepmother and the accused sleep in the bedroom.
“The accused had a carnal knowledge of his daughter and while she was ill, he took her to the hospital for treatment.
“It was during a checkup that it was discovered that girl was carrying a two-months-old pregnancy.”
Odigie noted that the offences contravened Sections 135 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Counsel to the accused, O.A. Ogunbiyi, urged the court to grant the accused bail.
But the chief magistrate refused him bail, citing Section 264 of the Criminal Law.
She directed the social welfare office to take care of the daughter’s child.
The accused may be sentenced to life imprisonment on conviction.
The case was adjourned to February 19 for mention.