3 in court over alleged rape of 15-yr-old girl

LAGOS—Three persons have been arraigned before an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, over their alleged involvement in the abduction and raping of a 15-year-old girl.

The accused persons, where said to have raped the girl for two weeks in Lagos.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges of abduction, rape, assault and conspiracy preferred against them by the police.

Trial magistrate in the matter, Mrs Shery Solebo, however, ordered that the matter be transferred to the state high court for trial.

The teenager was said to be returning to her house in Igando when she was abducted and taken to a hideout. The failure of the teenager to return home, prompted her parents to report the matter at Igando Police Station. After a police search, the victim was rescued from her abductors’ hideout at Akesan, Lagos.

It was gathered that two persons who were also involved in the abduction and raping of the teenager are still at large and are wanted by the police.

It was gathered that the teenager was enticed by the victim’s friend, Chika Eze, a female member of the gang, who took the teenager to the abductors’ hideout.

The teenager, who is  receiving treatment at Igando General Hospital, sustained injuries on her body after being beaten by her abductors.

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By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE