‘Imbecile’ docked for defiling 3-yr-old girl in Akure

By Sunmola Olowookere
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A 19-year-old boy Bidemi Ijarade, has been arraigned before an Akure High Court for defiling the three year old granddaughter of his neighbour.

The teenage boy, who was described by his counsel as an imbecile was alleged to have committed the crime in October 6, 2019 at Iro Street in Akure metropolis.

Ijarade was dragged before the court on a two-count-charge of defilement and indecent assault.

The defendant was alleged to have defiled the young girl who live with her grandmother when the old woman was not at home.

According to the prosecution, Victoria Aderemi, the victim’s grandmother said that she was called on phone by her neighbours that the defendant had raped the little girl.

She claimed to have seen the blood stains on her vaginas when she came back home.

Young men in the neighbourhood were said to have held the boy as he tried to run away and handed him over to the police.

A mild drama ensued when he was to be arraigned before the court as his counsel, one P.O Attah raised an objection that his client was an Imbecile and would not understand the charge that would be read to him.

The trial judge, Justice Samuel Bola, however assured him that he could raise the issue of Imbecility during the presentation of the defence’s case saying that the plea of the defendant had to be taken before the court could proceed with the hearing.

He, however pleaded “not guilty’ to the charges preferred against him and his plea was recorded by the court.

The prosecution told the court that it had three witnesses to call in the case and sought for an adjournment to enable it bring them to court.

The judge, thereafter adjourned the case till April 7,  for hearing.