Three men rape 14-year-old, brand her a witch

A 24-year-old patent medicine dealer, Ijezie
Chidiebere, and two other men have been
arraigned before the Ebute Meta Magistrate’s
Court for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old
girl.The incident was said to have taken place
on August 3, 2013 in Orile-Iganmu, Lagos State.

The police said Chidiebere and the other
suspects (Okechukwu Ezea, 25 and Chikezie
Ejesi, 25) detained the victim in Chidiebere’s
shop where they violated her “and in the
process, destroyed her hymen.”

To cover their action, they allegedly poured a
liquid substance suspected to be olive oil on
her while pretending to be clerics.

They were said to have told some people that
had gathered that the girl was a witch, who
needed urgent spiritual deliverance.

Some of the people, who were not convinced,
alerted policemen who arrested the trio.
The three men were arraigned on four counts
of felony, rape and false representation.

The charges read in part, “That you, Ijezie
Chidiebere,m, Okechukewu Ezea, m, Chikezie
Ejesi,m and others now at large on August 3,
2013, at 9pm at No 8, Kekere-Ekun Street, Orile-
Iganmu in the Lagos Magisterial District did
conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony
to wit defilement and administering of noxious
substance.”

The prosecutor, Sergeant Qasim Adams, said
the offences were punishable under Sections
409, 137,166(1)(D) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos
State Nigeria 2011 and Section 247(b) of the
Criminal Code of Law of Cap ‘C38’ Laws of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

The men pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The magistrate, Mr. K.O Ogundare, admitted
the defendants to bail in the sum of N100,000
with two sureties each in like sum.

He also instructed the police to transfer the
matter to the Surulere Family Court where it
would receive proper attention as the court
lacked the jurisdiction to try the case.
The matter was adjourned till September 24.