Two
brothers, Uba Emehelu and Nnanna Emehelu, have been arraigned before an Ebute
Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping and assaulting a 50-year-old
woman.
The
incident was said to have occurred at the Orile area of Lagos.
It
was learnt that the victim, whose husband is based in the United States
and has a grown up son, had lived in the same flat with the defendants for many
years.
She
was said to have sub-let two rooms to the brothers when she could no longer
afford the full payment of the apartment.
While
the victim deals in phone accessories, the two Enugu state indigenes sell
textile materials at the Oshodi Market.
Around
10pm on September 4, 2013, the victim was said to have arrived from her shop
and settled down in her room to eat.
She
became pressed and went to ease herself in the toilet.
But
on her return, it was alleged that the 33 year-old Uba pounced on her,
forcefully removed her dress and raped her.
The
police told the court on Wednesday that Uba further squeezed her neck to keep
her from shouting.
After
the act, the police said the victim held Uba to stop him from escaping and
began calling for help.
His
brother, Nnanna, 32, however assaulted the victim “with fist blows in an effort
to free Uba from her grip.”
The
brothers were arraigned on three counts of rape and assault.
The
charges read in part, “That you, Uba Emehelu, on the 4th day of September, 2013
at 10pm, at 34 Coker Compound, Orile, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District,
did by force have unlawful sexual intercourse with one (name witheld), female,
aged 50 years, without her consent.”
The
prosecutor, Adebesin Shamsideen, a legal officer from the State Criminal
Investigation Department, Yaba, said the offences were punishable under
Sections 258 and 170 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.
The
defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and elected summary trial.
The
brothers were represented by three lawyers- Dr. K.U Ekweme, E.E Bassey and D.C
Makanjuola.
The
Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.A Demi-Ajayi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of
N500,000 with a surety “who must be gainfully employed and be resident in Lagos
with evidence of tax payment.”
The
matter was adjourned till October 28 for trial.
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