An Akure Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a private security guard, one Joel Monday, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre for allegedly raping, impregnating and maltreating a 16-year old girl.
The accused was arraigned on offences bordering on unlawful sexual intercourse, physical abuse and intimidation, contrary to Section 31 (2) of the Child Rights Law of Ondo State, which prescribes life imprisonment for offenders.
The victim, whose identity was withheld due to her age, narrated how her quest for a better life led her from Cross River State to Akure, where she eventually fell prey to Monday’s alleged abuses.
“I came to Akure because life was very hard for my family back home and I wanted to assist my sick mother. We are five children from my mother and our father didn’t take care of us. So when a man called ‘White’ told me I could find better opportunities in Akure, I followed him,” she said.
She disclosed that she initially secured employment as a housemaid with one Mr David for a year and was promised N180,000 as salary. However, she was only paid N50,000.
“My mother had warned me not to stay longer than a year, but after being cheated, I couldn’t return home,” she said
While searching for another job, she met Monday, who allegedly offered her accommodation and promised to help her secure better employment.
However, that marked the beginning of her ordeal.
“He promised to get me a better job with higher pay, and since I had nowhere to stay, he offered to house me. That was when he started making s3xual advances. I resisted several times, but he later started forcing himself on me. After every encounter, he would give me pregnancy prevention pills,” she narrated.
She further revealed that Monday claimed to be a police officer and threatened her, saying no station would believe her story or arrest him.
The victim said she eventually got pregnant in August last year and when Monday found out, he turned violent, calling her a prostitute and accusing her of ruining his plan to marry his fiancée.
“Due to his constant maltreatment, I confided in a woman in our street and told her everything. She advised me against abortion and took me to Emmanuel World Children’s Foundation, where I was cared for until I gave birth on April 30 this year,” she added.
During proceedings, Monday’s counsel, A.I Musa, did not dispute the paternity of the baby, but appealed to the court to consider the welfare of the child and the teenage mother.
“My lord, this court is not just a court of law but also a court of justice and a court of children. One party is a minor and the other a baby. The child’s welfare must be prioritised. Since the defendant earns N150,000 monthly, he is ready to cater for the mother and child,” he said.
However, the complainant’s counsel, Mr Dada, countered the plea, insisting that the accused should be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The minor is hardworking and not wayward, which is why she came to Akure to work in the first place. If the court fails to punish the defendant, it may send the wrong message that justice is no longer obtainable,” Dada submitted.
In her ruling, Magistrate Grace Alphonso ordered that the minor and her baby be temporarily placed in the custody of Emmanuel World Children’s Foundation, pending family tracing and confirmation that her biological mother in Cross River is capable of caring for her.
The Magistrate further directed that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice, while the original file should be kept at the Registry of the State High Court.
The case was adjourned till July 31 for further hearing.
