An Ebonyi State Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki has remanded a 29-year-old Chikodili Igboji for raping a 50-year-old widow, Chinyere Igwe.
The Magistrate, Chinedu Agama-Agama on Wednesday issued an order for Igboji’s remand after turning down his request for bail.
Igboji is charged with one count of sexual assault, allegedly committed on 5th October 2023, at Udenyi village, Izzo Imoha, in the Ezza North local government area of Ebonyi.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him in court.
In his bail application, the defendant’s attorney, Francis Nwelom, emphasized his innocence.
However, Insp. Stanley Ngene, the prosecution attorney, objected to the bail request and asked the court to remand the defendant.
Ngene informed the court that the crime is punishable by section 358 of the 2009 Ebonyi State of Nigeria’s CAP 33 vol. 1 statutes, criminal code.
