Two 14-year-old male students of Okporo Secondary School in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, have been remanded by a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, over the alleged gang rape of a girl.
The accused students, Chukwudi Daniel and Confidence Gbarabe were arraigned in court Thursday, November 18, on charges bordering on defilement of in suit number PMC/1732c/202.
The charges 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 cod,e cap 37,vol 11, Laws of Rivers State.”
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, counsel for the two students, Chinedu Ndah, orally applied for their bail.
Reacting to the bail application, the Chief Magistrate, Rita Oguguo, asked that the two students be kept in a remand home in Port Harcourt.
The magistrate adjourned the case till December 7 for ruling on bail application and hearing.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyer, Emi George Jim, said the organisation was called into the matter and it followed it up till it was brought to the court.
George promised that the group will follow up the case to ensure that justice is served to all parties.