Three men rape 14-year-old, call her a witch afterwards

A 24-year-old patent medicine dealer, Ijezie Chidiebere, and two other men have been arraigned before the Ebute Meta Magistrate's Court for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl.

The incident was said to have taken place on August 3, 2013  in Orile-Iganmu, Lagos State.

The police said Chidiebere and the other suspects (Okechukwu Ezea, 25 and Chikezie Ejesi, 25) detained the victim in Chidiebere's shop where they violated her "and in the process, destroyed her hymen."

To cover their action, they allegedly poured a liquid substance suspected to be olive oil on her while pretending to be clerics.

They were said to have told some people that had gathered that the girl was a witch, who needed urgent spiritual deliverance.

Some of the people, who were not convinced, alerted   policemen who arrested the trio.

The three men were arraigned on four counts of felony, rape and false representation.

The charges read in part, "That you, Ijezie Chidiebere,m, Okechukewu Ezea, m, Chikezie Ejesi,m and others now at large on  August 3, 2013, at 9pm at No 8, Kekere-Ekun Street, Orile-Iganmu in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit defilement and administering of noxious substance."

The prosecutor, Sergeant Qasim Adams, said the offences were punishable under Sections 409, 137,166(1)(D) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2011 and Section 247(b) of the Criminal Code of Law of Cap 'C38' Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

The men pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The magistrate, Mr. K.O Ogundare, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

He also instructed the police to transfer the matter to the Surulere Family Court where it would receive proper attention as the court lacked the jurisdiction to try the case.

The matter was adjourned till September 24