Police arraign 70-year old grandfather, two sons for allegedly defiling 9-year-old girl 

Sequel to the intervention of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the case of defilement of a 9-year-old minor in Oliha area of Benin city, her 70-year-old grandfather, Francis Ezomo and his two sons, who allegedly defiled her, have been arraigned by the police at Evbuoriaria Magistrate Court.

The trio are facing two count charges of conspiracy and defilement.

Upon arrival in court, the minor, who is now under the custody of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, broke into tears on sighting her guardian and others docked.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Julie Olatunji, told the court that the minor had informed her headmistress how the accused persons defiled her severally after she was quizzed about her unusual gait.

Olatunji said the case was thereafter reported by the Acting Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, at the state Executive Council meeting, where Governor Godwin Obaseki ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, which led to the arraignment of the suspects.

The permanent secretary told the court that upon medical examination, the girl’s hymen was discovered to have been broken and infected and that she was currently undergoing treatment.

The defendants pleaded not guilty in the charges against them. But counsel to the 1st accused person, Mr Ozomo, Barrister Simeon Atalor, however, applied for bail for the defendant, whom he said was ill and visually-impaired.

The court subsequently granted Mr Ozomo N100,000 bail with a surety in the like sum.

But two of his sons, Nosa and Festus were denied bail.

The case has been adjourned till April 19.