AISHA ABUBAKAR
A 32-year old businessman, Raphael Moses, has been arrested and charged for allegedly defiling an 8-year old girl in Kaduna State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Moses, has been arraigned before the Upper Customary Court in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, for defilement which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The NSCDC Prosecutor, Marcus Audu, told the Court that the girl’s mother, Catherine Denis, reported the case at the Corps office in Kafanchan on 22nd April, 2024 and the suspect was arrested and detained for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
According to Audu, the suspect, Moses lured the girl to his room and defiled her.
He said that the suspect was caught by some neighbours, who took the complainant to the Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
Audu stated that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 259 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law.
The Presiding Judge, Michael Bawa, who did not take Moses’ plea, ordered his remand to custody and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
The matter was adjourned till 19th May, 2024, for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.