“It’s a family matter”- Father Nabbed for Serially Defiling 6-Year-Old Daughter Attacks Journalist

A 35-year-old man, Agu Echezona Harrison was on Wednesday arraigned before a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, for alleged violation of his six year old daughter.

Earlier before his arraignment, Harrison harassed some journalists who approached the state prosecutor to clarify an issue relating to another matter during a short recess, News Agency of Nigeria reports.

On seeing newsmen discussing with the prosecuting counsels, the defendant approached them and shouted, ”what do you want? What are you writing? This is a family matter. Get away from there. If you write anything, I will sue you.”

After proceedings, as he was being taken to the cell by prison officials, Harrison attacked another journalist, Olamide Fadipe of Morning Daily by throwing his bottled water at her to prevent his photograph from being snapped.

According to the information before the court, the defendant who resides at No, 23, Rotimi Omotosho street, Isheri- Osun, Lagos, had between 2013 to 2015 sexually assaulted his daughter (name withheld) of about by inserting his finger into the girl’s vaginal.

State prosecuting counsel, Adebayo Haruna, told the court that the wife of the defendant reported the incident to the police station.

The woman alleged that her daughter had been weeping between 2013 and 2015. She added that it was two weeks after the last incident that her daughter opened up about what she had been going through in the hands of her father, and that she found the development strange.

She then reported to the police station in the area from where she (daughter) was taken to Mirabel Centre for tests, which confirmed her fears.

Harrison pleaded not guilty to the one count charge. Defendant’s Counsel E.C. Ebiem pleaded with the Judge to allow the accused to continue to enjoy the bail terms earlier granted him by the magistrate court, saying that he has never missed a court sitting.

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But Haroun opposed him and urged the court to remand him in prison custody.

While opposing the bail application, the lawyer informed the court that the defendant has been threatening the complainer, who happens to be his wife and mother of the victim.

”I have heard both counsels, the act is so rampant in the society now. In the interest of justice I demand accelerated hearing in this matter.

The Defendant should be remanded in the Kirikiri maximum prison,” he said and adjourned till 20 November for commencement of trial.

Photo credit: NAN