Niger: Court remands man over alleged sexual molestation of four-year-old

A Chief Magistrate Court Number Three, sitting in Minna, the Niger State capital, has ordered the remand of a 20-year-old, Philip Jonathan, over allegations of sexually molesting a 4-year-old girl.

The Presiding Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Halima Balaraba Yusuf, issued the order and announced that the court would prioritise an accelerated hearing for the case.

Police operatives from the Anti-Gender and Violence Against Children Squad of the Niger State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), headed by SP Olubunmi Duyilemi, arraigned the defendant on a one-count charge related to unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under the Niger State Child Rights and Protection Law 2021, as amended.

According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), marked MN/CR/91/2024 and obtained in court, the offence is punishable under Section 26(2) of the Niger State Child Rights and Protection Law 2021, as amended.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP Emmanuel Bassa, informed the court that on June 29, 2024, at about 4:30 pm, one Habibat Yakubu of Gwanzunu area in Suleja Local Government reported to the Police at A’ Divisional Command. She alleged that on June 28, 2024, Philip Jonathan of the same address lured her 4-year-old daughter to his room and sexually molested her.

“As a result, the child sustained injuries to her private parts. Police detectives acted swiftly, arrested you, Philip Jonathan, and during the investigation, the victim identified you as the person who assaulted her,” ASP Bassa said.

When the charge was read to him, Philip Jonathan pleaded not guilty.

Barrister Ochegene Victor applied for bail, arguing that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

However, Prosecutor ASP Emmanuel Bassa objected to bail, citing that the offence of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under Section 26(2) of the Niger State Child Rights and Protection Law 2021, as amended, is non-bailable.

ASP Bassa requested that the 20-year-old defendant be remanded in correctional custody for the commencement of accelerated hearings.

Granting the prosecutor’s request, Chief Magistrate Halima Balaraba Yusuf ordered the defendant’s remand and adjourned the case to September 4, 2024, for the start of the hearing.

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