23-year-old arrested for defrauding and raping

A 23-year-old man, Joseph Sarumi, has been arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for allegedly raping and defrauding one Fatimah.

The incident occurred on the Lagos Island area of the state.

It was not certain what relationship existed between the defendant and the victim, but the police said Sarumi raped Fatimah and defrauded her of N25, 000, and a BlackBerry Torch phone, at Silverland Hotel in Adeniji Adele area of the state.

He was also said to have collected N50, 000 from another victim, one Okikiola Elegbela.

Sarumi was arraigned on  three counts of rape and stealing.

The charges read in part, “That  you, Joseph Sarumi, on the 3rd day of September, 2013 at about 8pm, at an hotel on Glover Street, in Lagos Island in the Lagos Magisterial District did rape one Fatimah.

“That you, Joseph Sarumi, on the 2nd day of September, 2013 at Silverland Hotel along Adeniji Adele in Lagos Island in the Lagos Magisterial District did obtain the sum of N50,000 from one Okikiola Elegbela, and N25,000 from one Fatimah Isah.”

The prosecutor, Edet Akadu, said the offences were punishable under Sections 258, 312, and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

His defence counsel pleaded for his bail in liberal terms.

The magistrate, Mrs J. Ugbomoiko, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till October 3, 2013.