Islamic teacher arraigned for raping two kids

    
A 27-year-old man, Mohammed Ibrahim, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping two female pupils of Al Adab Nurery and Primary School.

The incident was said to have happened in Surulere area of Lagos and in the school’s premises.

Ibrahim, an indigene of Niger State, was said to have raped the six and seven year olds in the toilet during school hours.

It was learnt that the defendant had only been appointed to teach Primary three students Islamic studies in the muslim school in August 2013.

He was placed on a salary of N10,000 per month which he accepted to take.

However, on December 18, 2013 he allegedly told the victims (names withheld) to help him fetch water and put in the toilet.

He was said to have followed them there, undress them and have carnal knowledge of them.

The victims were said to have cried while the act was on, which attracted attention of other kids.

Ibrahim allegedly pushed them out and pretended as if nothing had happened.

The victims were said to have been invited and interrogated by another teacher, who then related their confession to the school management.

The defendant was subsequently arrested and he allegedly confessed to the crime.

The police arraigned him on Monday on two counts of rape.

The charge read, “That you, Mohammed Ibrahim, on December 18, 2013 at about 1100 hours at Al Adab Nursery and Primary School, Abalti Barracks Surulere, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did forcefully have unlawful sexual intercourse with a child named (name withheld) aged 6 years, which caused her harm.

“That you on the same date, time and place, did unlawfully have sexual intercourse with a child name (name withheld) aged 7 years, which caused her harm.”

The prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odige, said the offence was punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2011.

Ibrahim said he was not guilty of the offence.

Odige announced the presence of the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Matthew Ebe and the headmaster of the school who did not identify himself.

The affected kids were also in court with their parents.

The defence counsel, Melda Bambo, appealed to the court to grant Ibrahim bail in liberal terms.

The magistrate, Mrs Demi Ajayi admitted him to bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties each in like sum.

“The sureties must also be at least 40 years of age, resident in Lagos and gainfully employed. They must present evidence of tax payment and affidavit of means. Their address identities and means of livelihood should also be verified,” she added.

The matter was adjourned till January 29, 2014.