He pulled her into his room, stripped her, forcefully had sexual intercourse with her

A 31-year-old public servant, Eno Ita, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja,  for allegedly raping a minor. Ita of Nuwalege Village, Airport Road, Abuja, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of raping a 14-year -old girl levelled against him.

The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200, 000.
Kagarko also ordered the defendant to produce a reliable surety, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The prosecutor, Mr Umah Unah, holding brief for Mr John Ijagbemi, had opposed the bail application made by the defence counsel, Mr Michael Olajide. “Rape is a serious offence, but we shall be leaving it at the discretion of the court,’’ he said. Unah earlier told the court that the victim reported the matter at Garki Police Station on Dec.4.

He said that the defendant of the same address with the victim, called her to his door post as if he wanted to send her on an errand.

“While she was at his door post, he pulled her into his room, stripped her and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her, without her consent,’’ he said. The prosecutor said that the offence was contrary to Section 283 of the Penal Code. The judge adjourned hearing till Feb.13.