Court Remands Secondary School Students for Gang Rape
The two students, Chukwudi Daniel and Confidence Samuel Gbarabe 14 years old each, were arraigned in court on charges bordering on defilement.
The offence was registered in suit number PMC/1732c/202.
The charge reads: “That you Chukwudi Daniel and Confidence Samuel Gbarabe (aka pipeline) on the 27th day of October, 2021 at Okporo Secondary school in Port Harcourt Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to wit:defilement and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A of the criminal code,cap 37 vol,11 laws of Rivers State Nigeria.
“That you Chukwudi Daniel and Confidence Samuel Gbarabe on the aforementioned date and place in the afore magisterial district did unlawfully and sexually abuse one (name withheld) age 14 years by inserting your penis into her vagina and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 221 of the criminal code cap 37,vol 11, Laws of Rivers State”.
When the charge was read in court, the two accused persons pleaded not guilty.
However, counsel for the two students, Chinedu Ndah, orally applied for their bail.
Reacting on the bail application, the trial Chief Magistrate, Rita Oguguo remanded the two male students to remand home in Port Harcourt.
The magistrate adjourned the matter till December 7, this year for ruling on bail application and hearing.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, a member of International Federation of Women Lawyer(FIDA) Emi Jim George, who is holding watch for the compliant on behalf of FIDA, said FIDA was called into the matter to follow it up till it was brought to the court.
She assured that FIDA would continue to follow up to ensure justice is served to all parties in the matter.
THISDAY observed that there was no representative of Okporo Community Secondary School in court.