The police in Lagos has arraigned a father of four, Leonard Ekeh before a Lagos State Chief Magistrate Court, sitting at Bode Thomas area of the state, for allegedly raping an eight year-old minor.

Ekeh, a native of Umuorishe-Umuohagu in Ngor Okpala local government area, Imo State, was docked before the court on two counts charge of unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent treatment of the minor.

The 48 years old defendant was said to have committed the dastardly act on September 21, at his residence, 20, Jacob Odeleye Street, Itire, Lagos.

According to the police, the defendant committed the offence when the victim followed one of his children to watch television at his residence.

Before committing the alleged crime, the accused allegedly sent his daughter out of the house.

The cry of the victim drew the attention of neighbours, who apprehended the defendant and handed him over to the police at Itire division of the force, from where he was arraigned in court.

The offences according to the prosecutor, Sergeant, Cecilia Onojondor, are contrary to and punishable under sections 137 and 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Count one of the charge marked: FCL/120/2016 reads: “that you Leonard Ekeh, in between 20 to 21 day of September, 2016, at about 4p.m., 20, Jacob Adeleye street, Itire, Lagos, in the Lagos magisterial district, did unlawfully had sexual intercourse with an eight years old girl, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 137 of this Criminal Laws of Lagos of Nigeria, 2011.

Count two of the charge reads: “that you Leonard Ekeh, on the same date, time, and place in aforesaid magisterial district did indecently treated one (name withheld) aged 8 years, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The trial Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Ipaye-Nwachukwu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in the like sum.