Four In Court For Alleged Rape, Filming Victim

Four suspected rapists were on Monday arraigned before Magistrate Patrick Nwaka of the Yaba Magistrates’ Court for alleged rape, sexual assault, and the creation of a video showing the assault.

The defendants were said to have on January 15, 2024, conspired among themselves to forcibly engage in sexual intercourse with the alleged victim. They executed the plan and allegedly raped the victim on the said day.

The defendants: Ibe Obinna, Sheu Robiu, Olorunlayo Emmanuel, and Adebanjo Ayomide, were arraigned on three counts of forcible sexual intercourse and the creation and dissemination of videos depicting the assault, which were subsequently posted to social media.

One of the defendants, Obinna, on February 18, 2024, shared the video of the alleged assault, which was recorded on his Tecno Pop7 Pro phone, with Emmanuel, Ayomide, and Robiu on Facebook, leading to its viral spread.

Earlier, police prosecutor, DSP Thomas Nurudeen informed the court that the four suspects committed the alleged offences on January 15, 2024, and February 18, 2024.

He added that the alleged offences contravened Sections 411, 260, and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendants however pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge preferred against them.

The Magistrate ordered that they each pay N1m with four sureties or be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until further hearing.