By Kayode Olabanji
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A 35-year-old man John Okoye, has appeared before an Akure Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Oke- Eda in the Akure Magisterial District for allegedly unlawfully and forcefully having carnal knowledge of a minor.
The accused person who was brought before Magistrate (Mrs) Victoria Bob-Manuel, is facing a count charge of having carnal knowledge of a minor, and was consequently ordered to be remanded at Olokuta Prison.
According to the prosecution, on the 9th day of August 2018, at about 9:00pm at Surulere street, opposite Sao house, Igbara-Oke, in the Ondo State Magisterial District, the accused did unlawfully and forcefully had carnal knowledge of a 13 year-old girl, name (withheld) without her consent.
The alleged offence committed was said to be contrary to Section 357 and punishable under section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.
The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
The police prosecutor, Sergeant Sulaiman Abdulateef, urged the court to remand the accused person at Olokuta Prison, since the court has no jurisdiction over the case and also to enable the court to send the duplicate case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.
He prayed the court for an adjournment pending the outcome from the DPP’s office.
Counsel to the accused person, Barrister O. O Adedire, did not oppose the remand application made by the prosecutor.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate (Mrs) Victoria Bob-Manuel, ordered the remand of the accused person,John Okoye, in Olokuta Prison custody pending the issuance of the legal advice by the Director Of Public Prosecution.
She said both the original and the duplicate case file should be handed over to the court clerk by the prosecutor.
The clerk of the court was mandated to dispatch the original case file to the office of the Chief Registrar, Ondo State judiciary for safe keeping and to send the duplicate to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice without delay.
She thereafter, adjourned the case till September 27, 2018.
