Man In Court For Fondling 10-Year-Old Girl’s Breast

A 52-year-old man, Maxwell Ekwueme, was on Wednesday
arraigned in a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly touching the
breast of a 10-year-old girl without her consent.

The accused, who resides at No, 17, Tola Oduntan St.,
Shomolu, Lagos, is standing trial on a count-charge of sexual abuse.

The prosecutor, Rita Momah, told the court that the accused
committed the offence on Aug. 13, at about 2:00 p.m., at No. 17, Tola Oduntan
St., Shomolu, Lagos.

She alleged that the accused, a co-tenant, saw the
10-year-old girl washing plates and suddenly covered her mouth with one hand,
and indecently pressed her breast with the other hand.

The prosecutor explained that the accused was apprehended
when the 10-year-old girl reported the incident to her parents.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 135
of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

Ekwueme, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs. F.A Adeeyo, granted bail to the accused
in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case
till Oct. 26.

Vanguard