- Odibo Victory
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Life Camp, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered the remand of a 55-year-old beggar, Lawal Saidu, in the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre over an alleged attempt to sexually assault an 11-year-old girl.
Saidu was charged with assault and criminal force, offences to which he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution alleged that the defendant lured the minor away under the guise of sending her on an errand before allegedly attempting to sexually assault her.
Prosecution Counsel, Charity Nwachukwu, told the court that the girl’s mother reported the incident at the Life Camp Police Station on Aug. 15.
Nwachukwu said the mother became suspicious after her daughter was taken away by the defendant and followed them.
According to her, the mother allegedly found the girl half-naked on top of the defendant.
“The mother ran after her daughter and found her half naked on top of the defendant,” the prosecutor told the court.
The prosecutor further told the court that the minor disclosed to her mother that Saidu had touched her private parts.
Following the allegation, the defendant was arrested and charged before the court.
Chief Magistrate Musa Jobbo denied Saidu’s oral application for bail, directing him to file a formal written application.
The court subsequently ordered that Saidu be remanded in the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The case was adjourned until Sept. 24 for hearing.
The prosecution said the alleged offence contravenes Section 268 of the Penal Code Law.