35-Year-Old Man Remanded In Prison For Raping Minor

A 35-year-old man identified as Torkegh Matu, was on Friday remanded in prison custody by a Mararaba Upper Area Court, Nasarawa State, for allegedly raping a two-year-old girl. Lawyer's Gavel The accused who resides in Angwan-Jikwoyi, New Karu area of the state live in the same compound with the minor's mother. Joseph Ahwa, the police prosecutor told the court that the incident was reported at the `A' Division Police Station, Mararaba, on June 10, by the victim's mother, Jennifer Aso. According to him, the victim's mother came home and noticed bruises on the body of her two-year old daughter whom she left while asleep. "She checked her and noticed some bruises on her private part. She took her to a medical center in Mararaba, where it was confirmed that there was an attempted penetration" he said. The prosecutor said the victim's mother suspected Matu, as he was the only male sex at home with the daughter at that time. Ahwa prayed the court not to admit the accused to bail in order for him not to interfere with ongoing police investigations. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Gabriel Okhugbe, counsel to the defendant prayed the court to grant his client bail, but the presiding judge, Vincent Gwahemba overruled the bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody. Gwahemba adjourned the case to July 9 for hearing.