Ikeja: A 44-year-old Lagos trader appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday, charged with sexually assaulting his four-year-old daughter — a case that has shocked the Ikeja community and renewed calls for stronger child protection laws in Nigeria.
The defendant, who resides at No. 35 Prince Ibeh Arinze Crescent, Ago Palace, Lagos, was charged with defilement.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Feb. 14 at his residence.
He alleged that the infant’s mother observed the defendant allegedly inserting his finger into the child’s anus after hearing the child cry.AAdemigbuji said the offence is against (contravenes) section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prohibits unlawful sexual acts with children. Chief Magistrate Omolara Kushanu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case until April 9 for mention.