The police in Lagos State on Wednesday arraigned two men charged with defiling a four-year-old girl.
The accused, Wale Sanusi, 29; and Gbolahun Banjo, 30, residing at 8, Adeleye Street, Gbagada, Lagos, are facing a count charge of child-rape before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The Prosecutor, ASP Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that Banjo, who was living with his friend, Sanusi, committed the offence at their residence on October 9 at 4pm.
Anyanwu said that Banjo took advantage of a four-year-old daughter of their co-tenant who strayed into their room.
He said: “Banjo inserted one of his fingers into the minor’s private part and attempted to forcefully have canal knowledge of her.
“He caused her severe injuries.”
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 137 prescribes imprisonment for life for any person who has sexual intercourse with a child.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Yewande Aje-Afunwa, ordered that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice.
Aje-Afunwa granted the first defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 and the second defendant a bail of N100,000, both with two sureties in like sums.
She adjourned the case to December 19 for hearing.