by Adeola Balogun

Monday Okoye, 34, of Obuofia, in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State has been remanded in prison for allegedly raping a 12 year old girl.

The suspect was prior to his detention arraigned in court.  Mr Peter Eze, who was the prosecutor in the case, informed the court that the incident in question was brought to the attention of the state Criminal Investigation Department on the 11th of August.

Eze reportedly said that the victim was absent in court because she was hospitalized following the injuries she sustained from the rape.

The prosecutor called seven witnesses to testify in the matter. The magistrate, Mr Frank Chukwu, asked the accused if he had a counsel and he said he had none.

Chukwu said that the case would be transferred to the high court because it bordered on rape, adding that such was outside the jurisdiction of a magistrate court.

He, however, added that the prosecuting witnesses would testify in the high court on the matter. He warned that each witness would pay N50,000 if they failed to appear in the high court for the case.

The magistrate ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case indefinitely.