Nine-year-old raped by neighbour contracts HIV

A nine-year-old girl has been infected with HIV after being allegedly raped by one Morufu Sofoluwe, her neighbor, in the Abeokuta area of Ogun state.

Sofoluwe was remanded in prison custody on Wednesday.

Sunday Eigbejiale, the prosecutor, told the court that the offence was committed sometime in July.

Eigbejiale said the accused person lured the victim, whose parents were his neighbour into his room and had carnal knowledge of her.

“The nine-year-old girl, who had been sick for a while, was taken to the hospital on August 28, where some tests were carried out and the results indicated that she has HIV,” the prosecutor said.

“After questioning, the victim later told her parents that the accused was the one that raped her. The accused had also been diagnosed of HIV.”

He said the offence contravened section 218 of the criminal laws of Ogun state, 2006.

The court did not take the plea of the accused.

Anthony Araba, chief magistrate, ordered that the accused be remanded in Oba Prison pending the advice by the director of public prosecution.

Araba adjourned the case till October 30.