The Police in Lagos on Wednesday arraigned a Togolese herbalist, Friday Samuel, 37, before an Apapa Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly impregnating his 13-year-old daughter.
The Prosecutor, ASP Soji Ojaokomo, told the court that Samuel, who married a deceased Nigerian woman from Abia State, resides at Igbede New Site, Ajangbadi, Ojo, a Lagos suburb.
Ojaokomo said that accused faced a three-count charge of indecent assault, unlawful defilement and impregnating his daughter.
He said that Samuel committed the offences at his residence on Jan. 16, 2014, at 8.30 p.m.
The prosecutor said that the accused, who is the biological father of the 13-year-old daughter, had been constantly having unlawful sexual intercourse with her, before he eventually impregnated her.
“The accused was fond of fondling with his daughter and constantly having sexual intercourse with her, without the victim’s consent,’’ he said.
Ojaokomo said that the daughter reported the matter to her sister when she could no longer bear the sexual assault.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 116 (d), 135 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 135 of the law says that any person who unlawfully and indecently deals with a child is guilty of felony and liable to seven years imprisonment.
Also, Section 137 says any person who has sexual intercourse with a child is guilty of felony and is liable to life imprisonment.
Counsel to the accused, Okafor Ijeoma, pleaded with the court to grant her client bail on liberal terms.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She also ordered that the sureties should be officers on Grade Level 14 in the state civil service and should have their addresses verified by the prosecutor.
Adelaja said the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, as part of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned till March 5, for further hearing.