A 24-year-old man, Jeremiah Ethe, allegedly defiled a 12-year-old girl and was charged before an Evbouriaria Magistrate’s Court in Benin, yesterday.

The prosecutor, Inspector Olatoye Oluwaseun, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 1, at about 6p.m. at 13, Igbinegie Str., off Okabere Street, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin.

He said that the offence contravened Section 218 of the criminal Code Cap. 48 Vol. ll, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo.

Chief Magistrate C. E. Oghuma admitted the accused to a N250,000 bail, with one surety in like sum, who must own a house and adjourned the case till September 9, for hearing.