Man, 31, tells FCT court he married 13-year-old girl he was accused of defiling

A 31-year-old chef, Innocent Etim, who was arraigned before the FCT High Court, Nyanya for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl, told the court on Tuesday, February 11, that the alleged victim is now married to him.

Etim was docked on a two-count charge, bordering on rape, but denied committing the offence.

Etim who testified as a witness in his defence, told the court that the girl he was accused of defiling has given birth to his child.

”I have met all the marriage rites as required by the tradition to marry the girl. She delivered a baby boy on Oct. 18, 2019 and we had the church dedication too.
I did not touch her on Feb. 13, 2018. It was her birthday and I asked her to come and collect a cake. She came and I gave her the cake,” he said.

After his testimony, his counsel Mr Dickson Umoru, told the court that the defence was closing its case.

Sequel to this, the judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter until April 6 for adoption of written addresses.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Samuel Offiah, alleged that the defendant committed the offence on Feb. 13, 2018, at Suaka area of Abuja. He told the court that the defendant defiled the girl, who was 13 year-old then.

Offiah said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 1 and 5 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.