- Safiu Kehinde
The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Offences Court sitting in Awka, Anambra state, has ordered the remand of a 33-year-old barber, Ihechukwu Korie, over alleged rape of a 14-year-old customer.
Chief Magistrate, Mrs. U.E. Onochie, who presides over the case, gave the order following a request by the Police Prosecutor, Insp Chinyere Okechukwu.
The defendant was arraigned on a one-count charge of rape.
Okechukwu narrated to the court how the defendant had on the 19th of August committed the offence at Chicago Estate, Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra.
“The 14-year-old victim was sent by her aunt to get a haircut at the defendant’s shop.
“While she was seated, waiting for her turn, the defendant finished attending to the customer before her.
“He then stepped outside, looked around briefly, returned to the shop, locked the door and turned up the volume of the music.
“The defendant dragged the victim to a three-in-one seater chair meant for customers, forcefully removed her clothing and had canal knowledge of her.
“He then used his handkerchief to wipe his sperm from her vagina. He eventually barbed her hair for free.
“After medical examination and enquiry at the Madonna Hospital and Maternity in Oba, a medical practitioner confirmed that the girl had been raped,” the prosecutor told the court.
Okechukwu said the offence contravened Section 130(2) (a) (b) of the Administration Criminal Justice Law 2022.
She then urged the court to remand the suspect at a correctional facility.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, claiming he was unaware of the girl’s age.
He alleged that their relationship was based on mutual feelings, which eventually led to the sexual encounter.
The magistrate adjourned the case until the 24th of September for report of compliance.
She ordered that Ikechukwu be remand at the Awka Correctional Facility.