Court remands pastor who allegedly defiled 7-year-old girl

Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi remanded Chukwu, 35, pending advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

Consequently, the court did not take the plea of the defendant.

Osunsanmi adjourned the case until May 6 for mention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chukwu, who resides on Omoeda Street, Ijegun in Ikorodu, Lagos, was charged with child defilement.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Raphael Donny, alleged that the defendant committed the offence on March 20 on Omodiagi Street, Ijegun, Ikorodu.

He submitted that the defendant defiled the girl in his wife’s shop.

“The victim came to Chukwu’s wife’s shop to buy a recharge card; he held the girl’s hand, kissed her, pulled her pant and sexually assaulted her.

"The girl’s mother reported the case and the defendant was arrested,” the prosecutor said.

He noted that child defilement contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prescribes up to life imprisonment on conviction.