2 persons arrested over alleged rape of 12- year-old girl

Firstclass newsline learnt that two persons, Festus Owie, 20, and
Blessing Ebimor, 12, have been arraigned before an Egor Magistrate's
Court, for allegedly raping and assaulting a 12-year-old girl.
The defendants, who were arraigned on a three-count charge of
defilement, rape and assault, were alleged to have committed the
offense on October 26, 2014.
The court was told by the prosecutor that the accused persons
conspired at about 5pm at 46, First Oromina Street, off Siluko road,
Benin, where they not only assaulted the victim but also forcibly had
sexual intercourse with her.
The prosecutor said the offences were in contravention of Sections 218
and 222 of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol II, Laws of the defunct
Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, applicable in Edo state.
The charge read, "That you, Festus Owie (aka Ebo) on or about October,
2014, at about 1200 hours at No. 46, First Oromina Street, off Siluko
road, Benin City, in the Egor Magisterial district did unlawfully have
sexual intercourse with one Beauty (surname withheld) aged 12 years,
by inserting your penis into her vagina and thereby committed an
offence punishable under Section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol
II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable
in Edo State.
"That you, Blessing Ebiminor, on or about October, 2014, at about
1200 hours at No. 46, First Oromina Street, off Siluko road, Benin
City, in the Egor Magisterial district, did indecently assault one
Beauty (surname withheld) aged 12 years, against her consent and
thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 222 of the
Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of
Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo State.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the first accused person, had told the court that the
complainant had been paid the sum of N100,000 to withdraw the case.
But the presiding magistrate, Igho Braimoh, maintained that the case
would be determined, due to the seriousness of the matter.
Braimoh, however, †ordered a relative of the first accused person to
tender a statement at a police station, after she was accused by the
counsel to the complainant, Mrs. Osasu Ewemade, of allegedly
threatening the victim.
Firstclassnewsline.net