Man gets N1m bail after ‘defiling’ 3-year-old girl

An Ikeja chief magistrates’ court has granted a N1 million bail to Obinna Obaji, a trader who allegedly defiled a three-year-old girl.

In his ruling, Taujudeen Elias, the chief magistrate, ordered the defendant to produce two sureties in like sum as part of the bail conditions.

Elias said Obaji should deposit N100, 000 into the chief registrar’s account, pending the determination of the case.

On February 29, Obaji, whose business premises is located at 32, Orisumbare Street, Iyana-Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos, was arraigned on a one-count charge of sexual assault but he pleaded not guilty.

Benedict Aigbokhan, the prosecutor, told the court that the defendant committed the offence at his residence on February 21.

Aigbokhan said the defendant was living in the same compound with the victim’s mother.

“It was when the victim, a three-year-old girl, wanted to urinate that her mother discovered that she was finding it difficult to urinate and also crying,” he said.

“The mother saw marks on her daughter’s vagina and when she asked her what happened, the girl said it was the defendant that inserted his hand into it.”

The prosecutor said the offence contravened section 404 of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2011.

Elias adjourned the case to April 13 for the department of public prosecution’s advice.