The 40-year-old lawyer, Chika Uzoamaka, who was alleged to have sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl (names withheld) was yesterday re-arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court.
The defendant is facing a four-count charge bordering on sexual assault and an indecent act preferred against him by the police.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Aondohemba Koti, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on August 12, at about 12:45p.m. at the magistrate’s courtroom 4, Tinubu, on Lagos Island.
He said that the defendant sexually assaulted the little girl by penetrating her anus and virginal without her consent, adding that he wilfully and without an excuse perpetrated an indecent act in a public place.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
According to the prosecutor, the offences are punishable under Sections 259, 261, 263 (1) and 134 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.
Magistrate L. A. Owolabi granted him bail in the sum of N400,000, with two responsible sureties, who are 40 years old, in like sum.
According to Owolabi, one of the sureties must be a lawyer with 10 years experience, with a verifiable address by prosecutor.
The magistrate ordered that N100,000 should be deposited in the court’s registrar’s account.
The magistrate further adjourned the matter till September 14 for mention and ordered that the amended charge be taken to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for advice.
It will be recalled that the defendant was arrested at the court premises on August 12 for allegedly assaulting and fondling the breast of the victim.
He was first arraigned on August 13, at the chambers on a three-count charge bordering on indecent assault by touching the little girl’s genitals and fondling her breasts without her consent.
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