Two jobless men, Olawunmi Sherif and Thomas Andrew, were on Thursday brought before an Epe Magistrate’s Court in Lagos State for allegedly raping a 16-year-old deaf and dumb girl. The accused, Sherif, 23, and Andrew, 26, whose addresses were not provided, are currently a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape.
The Police Prosecutor, Moses Oyekanmi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 31 about 5.30 p.m. at Palace Road, Ogunfayo, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Oyekanmi said the accused forced the girl (name withheld) who was sent on an errand into a room and had sexual intercourse with her.
He said, “They knew she is physically challenged and they took advantage of her condition but they were caught by passersby.”
The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravened Sections 258 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised). The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs O.A. Erusiafe-Fowowe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties in like sum.
She said the sureties must be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Erusiafe-Fowowe, however, adjourned the case until May 10 for mention.
