Court Remands Student For Defiling 5-Yr Baby

A 19-year old senior secondary three student from Enugu State was on Monday arraigned before a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrates Court for allegedly defiling  a five year old baby.

The accused person, Ifedi Arinze, is facing a one count charge of defilement before Chief Magistrate Court presided by Ipalibo F. Iyabo.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Wilson Isaiah, told the court that the accused person on the 5th of July, 2012 at about 1800hrs at No 3 Station Road in Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of the court did have carnal knowledge of one Favour Chijioke aged 5 years old.

The prosecutor averred that the accused committed an offence punishable under section 218 of the criminal code laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.

The accused did not take any plea on the charge brought against him but pleaded with the court to pardon him, adding that he was in Port Harcourt to struggle for money in order to register for his Senior Secondary Certificate Exams (SSCE) before the incident occurred.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Ipalibo F. Iyabo remanded the accused in prison custody on the ground that the court lacked the powers to grant him bail due to the gravity of the offence, adding that the law stipulates life imprisonment without option of fine.

The presiding chief magistrate while directing that the case file be forwarded to the DPP for legal advice however, told the accused that he was at liberty to approach a High Court for his bail. The matter was adjourned to August 30, 2012 for further hearing.