From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Commissioner has arraign two male adult before a Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt for allegedly defiling three friends in Bonny community of the state.
The two accused, Deri Pepple, 33 and Abinye Hart, 26, were said to have raped the three victims on May 9, 2020 at Egelemabie community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers state.
The victims, Martha, Martha, and Blessing (all surname withheld) were said to have been below the ages of 14 when they were raped by the suspects.
The suspects were accused of contravening Sections 516(A), 358 and 221(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. II, Laws of Rivers state of Nigeria, 1999.
When the matter was mentioned, the accused persons, who are faced four counts, bothering on rape and felony did not take their pleas in the court.
The charge reads, “That you Deri Pepple ‘m’ and Abinye Hart ‘m’ on the 9th day of May, 2020 at Egelemabie Community, Bonny in Bonny magisterial District but triable in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Rape and thereby committed an offence punishdbie under Section 5l6 A of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. II, Laws of Rivers state of Nigeria, 1999.
“That you Deri Pepple ‘m’ and Abinye Hart ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District but triable in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District did have unlawful carnal knowledge of one Hanson Martha Hanson ‘f’ without her consent and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, vol. ll, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
“Deri Pepple ‘m’ and Abinye Hart ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District but triable in the Port Harcourt Magisterial DIstrict did have unlawful carnal knowledge of one Martha Philip who is under the age of 14yrs and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. I1, Laws of RIvers State of Nigeria, 1999.
“Deri Pepple ‘m’ and Abinye Hart ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District but triable in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District did have unlawful carnal knowledge of one Blessing Friday who is under the age of 14yrs and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.”
Meanwhile the presiding Chief Magistrate, Ipalibo Iyabo has transferred the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice and ordered that the accused be remanded at the correctional centre pending the adjourned date.
Iyiabo, however adjourned the matter till August, 5, 2020 for mention.
