A 62-year-old man, Imeje Matthew Daniel, has
been arraigned before a Family Magistrate’s Court in Akure, Ondo State, over
the alleged defilement of a 12-year-old girl whose identity has been withheld.
The defendant appeared before Magistrate T.G.
Alphonso on a two-count charge of indecent assault and defilement.
According to the police prosecutor, Martins
Olowofeso, the alleged offence occurred on February 28, 2025, within
the jurisdiction of the Akure Magistrate’s Court.
Olowofeso informed the court that the prosecution
submitted a medical report from the Ondo State Specialist Hospital (Mother
and Child) to support the allegation that the minor was defiled.
He further stated that the offences allegedly
committed by the defendant violate Sections 218 and 221 of the Criminal Code
Law, Cap 37, Laws of Ondo State.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant
at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Director
of Public Prosecutions (DPP), stressing that the case involves a serious
criminal offence.
However, the defendant denied intentionally committing
the act, claiming he had been intoxicated on the day of the incident. He told
the court that he could not remember what happened because he allegedly lost
his memory after consuming alcohol.
Counsel to the defendant, M.C. Otega,
challenged the charges, arguing that they were improperly framed considering
the age of the victim.
The defence lawyer also questioned the medical report
presented by the prosecution, insisting that the document was handwritten
and therefore not admissible as evidence in court.
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