Man, 23, arraigned for alleged abdution, rape

Jos - A 23-year-old conductor, Hussaini Thank-God, on Friday appeared before a Jos Upper Area Court for allegedly abducting and raping a minor.

Thank-God, who resides at Fuskar-Mata village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau, appeared before Malam Mustapha Hassan on a two-count charge of abduction and raping a 13-year-old girl.

According to police First Information Report (FIR), the accused committed the offence on Jan. 21.

The FIR said that, on Feb. 3, at about 2.30 p.m., the mother of the minor (name withheld) reported to the Laranto police station that the accused had committed the offence.

The report said that the complainant informed the police that her 13-year-old daughter had left home to an unknown destination without her consent.

She said that her daughter was eventually traced to the house of the accused at Fuskar-Mata village, and that the accused refused to release her.

It stated that the police went to the house of the accused and arrested him for allegedly abducting the girl and having sexual intercourse with her.

The FIR said that, during police investigation, it was discovered that the accused was the one that carried the said minor to his village without the permission of her parents.

It said that the accused had committed an offence contrary to sections 271 and 273 of the Penal Code.

When the FIR was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and applied to the court for bail.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Gokwat Ibrahim, objected to the bail application of the accused on the ground that the matter was still under police investigation.

The trial judge rejected the bail plea and remanded the accused him in prison while the case was adjourned to Feb. 28, 2013 (NAN)