LAGOS AUGUST 3RD (URHOBOTODAY)-Onyeji, a father of four and a staff of an indigenous oil services firm in Warri, was alleged to have severally had unlawful carnal knowledge of his housemaid (names withheld).
He was arraigned before Magistrate Blessing Ideh, on a charge of unlawful carnal knowledge/defilement.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and was consequently ordered to remain in prison custody till Aug. 25, the date for the next hearing.
“The hearing of this case is being adjourned till Aug. 25 and the police officer is commanded to convey the defendant to the prison and deliver him over to the superintendent thereof, together with the warrant,’’ Ideh said.
The police prosecutor, Sgt. Enikido Akele, told the court that the accused had been at large when the matter was reported by the victim at the Ekpan Police station on July 1.
Akele said the accused, who resides in Oghoyoma Onomokpome Street, behind Chinkelly Schools in Ekpan, Warri was, however, apprehended on July 28.
“The accused resides in Oghoyoma Onomokpome street behind Chinkelly Schools and has been on the run when he heard that the police was on his trail,’’ he told the court.
He also informed the court that the victim, a JSS II student of Ekpan Basic Secondary School, Uvwie, confessed to being defiled by her employer when she was being interrogated by the police over the bodily harm inflicted on her by Onyeji’s wife.
He said the offence was punishable under section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap C21, Vol. 1, Laws of Delta State.
Prior to the arraignment, the victim told newsmen that the accused started the unlawful act with her since 2013.
She added that the accused warned her never to disclose to his wife otherwise, she would be sent back to the village.
The victim explained further that the accused allegedly carried out the illicit act whenever he returned from offshore and offered her between N200 and N1000.
It would be recalled that Chibuzor, Onyeji’s wife was also having a pending case before the same court for allegedly causing bodily harm to the allegedly raped teenager– her house help.