by Isi Esene

A 32-year-old electrician who allegedly raped a 35-year-old spinster (name withheld) has been discharged by an Ojo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The presiding Magistrate, M.O Shomade, yesterday ruled that the alleged rapist should be discharged because the prosecution has been unable to establish a concrete case against him.

The Magistrate noted that the prosecution, since the 10th of June, have been unable to produce any witness to testify against the suspect who had been held in prison custody for three months.

The prosecutor, Corporal Friday Eze, had accused the suspect of breaking into the home of the victim on May 4 about 7:40pm and forcefully gained carnal knowledge of her.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime and was granted bail by the judge for a sum of N100,000 with two sureties or be remanded in prison custody if unable to fulfill his bail condition.

Said, who gave his residential address as Ojo Igbede Road, near Cele Bus stop, Lagos, has since been remanded in Badagry prison due to his inability to pay the required bail sum.

The apparent incompetence of the prosecutors have made it impossible for the court to establish the suspects guilt or otherwise.