Following the arrest of a 31-year-old chef identified as Innocent Etim for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl, the suspect told the FCT High Court, Nyanya during his arraignment on Tuesday, February 11 that the alleged victim is now married to him.
The 31-year-old chef was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on rape but Etim denied committing the offence.
According to Etim who also testified as a witness in his defence, he said that the girl he was accused of defiling has given birth to his child.
”I have met all the marriage rites as required by the tradition to marry the girl. She delivered a baby boy on Oct. 18, 2019 and we had the church dedication too.
“I did not touch her on Feb. 13, 2018. It was her birthday and I asked her to come and collect a cake. She came and I gave her the cake,” he said.
The defense counsel, Dickson Umoru told the court that the defence was closing its case after Etim’s testimony.
Before the development, Justice Peter Kekemeke had adjourned the matter until April 6 for adoption of written addresses.
The prosecution counsel, Mr Samuel Offiah, alleged that the defendant committed the offence on Feb. 13, 2018, at Suaka area of Abuja. He told the court that the defendant defiled the girl, who was 13 year-old then.
Offiah said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 1 and 5 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.