Top Exxonmobil Engineer Who Allegedly Raped 14-Year-Old Girl Arraigned by Police

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The top Exxon Mobil engineer who allegedly raped his tenant’s 14-year-old niece in the Ajah area of Lagos (read here) has reportedly been arraigned by the Zone 2 Police Command at an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court.

The accused identified as James Onuoha, 42, was arraigned on four counts of rape and indecent assault.

According to Punch, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and elected summary trial. His defence counsel asked for his bail in liberal terms, arguing that the offence was bailable. He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum and remanded in the Kirikiri Prison pending its perfection.

The case was adjourned till February 23 for the release of the legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

The Director of the Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, who expressed displeasure at the bail, said the magistrate should not have heard the matter in the first place.

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She said the Lagos State Government had taken up the case and would ensure that justice was served.

Rotimi said, “We have been involved in this case from the onset and it is very inappropriate for the magistrate, who acknowledged that the case was not within her purview, to grant bail. You said something is not within your jurisdiction, and you still granted bail. Why hear it at all? The Attorney General of Justice has taken up the case and we will follow it to the end.”