CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
In what seems to be a sacrilege, two suspects, Oriko Samuel and Bassey Joseph have been arrested and charged before a Lagos court for their alleged involvement in the gang-rape of a 13-year old girl at a church premises.
The incident happened in the evening at the back of a Cherubim and Seraphim Church located at Oladipo Banjo Street in Oke-Ira area of Ogba, Lagos.
The motive behind their actions was not clear as P.M.EXPRESS could not confirm if the suspects and victim attended the church progamme on that day.
But police sources told our reporter that both the suspects and victim reside in the same area and attend the church where the incident happened.
They were charged with unlawfully having carnal knowledge of the victim by penetrating her through her vagina.
P.M.EXPRESS also gathered that the suspects lured the victim to the back of the church in the evening when other worshipers were inside the church auditorium praying.
They reportedly forced her to remove her pant and asked her to bend to enable them to penetrate her which she did.
They then had her one after the other.
Our correspondent gathered that Samuel first raped her before Joseph took over and it was in the process that they were caught in the act.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the alleged rape incident became a subject of discussion in the area because of the place it happened.
The matter was reported to the police at Area G Command Ogba who arrested the suspects and detained them at the Command.
They were charged before Ogba Magistrates court with the alleged offence under the Criminal Code.
They pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs Tella granted them bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties in like sum.
They were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned till 26 June 2017.