Trader allegedly locks housemaid inside toilet for 20 days

A 34 year old trader who was accused her 14 year old housemaid of stealing her money, has been accused by the police of punishing the girl by locking her in a toilet for twenty days.

The accused, Oyinyen Chuks, who resides at 19, Ojo St Shasha, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a four-count bordering on assault before an Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court.

The matter it was gathered came to light when concerned neighbours could no longer bear the little girl’s cries anymore.

According to the prosecutor, Sgt Raphael Donny, Chuks committed the offences between May 2 and May 22 at the residence of the accused.

Donny said that the accused alleged that the housemaid stole her money and beat her mercilessly.

“The accused locked the girl inside her toilet, fed her once and didn’t allow her to take a bath or change her clothes for those weeks in bondage.

“It was one of the neighbours who could not bear the torment anymore that informed the police”, he said.

The prosecutor said that following the report, the police visited the house and found the girl in the condition.

“Hence, the accused was arrested while the girl was taken to the hospital for treatment”, Donny said.

The offences, he said, contravened Sections 171, 207, 245 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

However, Chuks pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Davies Abegunde, granted the accused N1m bail with two sureties in like sum.

Abegunde ordered the accused to pay N200,000 into the Court Registrar ‘s account as part of the bail conditions.

She adjourned the case until June 21 for mention.