factory worker was arrested by the
police for allegedly raping a seven-
year-old girl at Adeleye Street, Ojo,
Lagos State.
Edide who is an indigene of Delta State
had tricked the youngster into his room
by sending her on an errand around
7.30pm on the day of the incident.
Upon her return, he allegedly forced
himself on her and raped her.
After satisfying his sexual urge, the
suspect threatened to kill his victim if
she told anyone about what
happened between them.
However, the next day in school, the
seven-year-old started bleeding in
school which got the attention of the
school authorities.
Her father, who was away at work, was
said to have been called by the school
authorities.
He reportedly took her home and called
a family nurse who made the pupil
opened up.
The suspect was arrested and brought
before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate's
Court on Tuesday, August 6, 2014 on
one count of rape.
The charge reads, "That you, Matthew
Edide, on June 27, 2014, at about
7.30pm at Adeleye Street, Ojo, Lagos in
the Lagos Magisterial District, did have
sexual intercourse with one (name
withheld), aged seven years."
The police prosecutor, DSP Etim
Nkankuk, said the offence was
punishable under Section 137 of the
Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria,
2011.
The defendant pleaded not guilty and
elected summary trial.
His defence counsel, Ali Abba, applied
for his bail in liberal terms, saying
Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution
declares the suspect innocent until
proven otherwise.
Inspector Monday Ebuzome, of the
Criminal Investigation Department,
Yaba, and the father of the victim were
present in court for the trial.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A.A. Demi-
Ajayi, granted the defendant bail in the
sum of N500, 000 with two responsible
sureties in like sum.
She added, "The sureties must be
gainfully employed and resident in
Lagos; must be at least 40 years of
age; one of them must be a blood
relation of the defendant. Each of the
sureties must deposit the sum of N50,
000 into the designable account of the
Chief Registrar of the state's High Court.
They must prove substantially their
address identity and means of
livelihood. They should also present a
sworn affidavit of means and their
addresses should be verified by the
police."
The case was adjourned till September
24, 2014 for legal advice from the
Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
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