Girl gets infection after sexual assault by pastor

A seven-year-old girl has been infected with staph after she was sexually assaulted by the pastor of an orthodox church, Sunday Akintayo.

The police arrested the 51-year-old cleric for inserting his finger into the private parts of the victim and shaving her eyebrows.

Our correspondent learnt that the assault had been going on for a long time, but by the time it was detected, the victim had contracted staph, a bacterial infection.

The mother of the victim was said to have noticed sperm discharge from the vagina of the girl while bathing her.

The girl was said to have opened up to her after a lot of prodding.

Akintayo was arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court on two counts of indecent assault.

The charge reads in part, “That you, Sunday Akintayo, on July 19, 2014 at Wuragbera Railway Line, Ilupeju, Mushin Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did indecently assault one seven-year-old girl by inserting your finger into her vagina.

“That you did indecently assault a minor by shaving her eyebrows.”

The offence was said to be punishable under sections 261 and 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and elected summary trial.

The defence counsel, Ali Abba, asked the court to grant bail to his client.

He said, “We sympathise with the victim’s family on what happened, but Section 36(6) of the 1999 Constitution is of the opinion that unless the defendant is convicted, he is presumed innocent. Also, Section 115(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011, outlines cases where bail cannot be granted; and, this is not one of them.”

The police prosecutor, Inspector U.A. Moses, urged the court to remand the pastor, saying the victim was in a critical medical condition.

Moses said, “The victim of the crime is a minor, a seven-year-old girl, and she sustained injuries in the course of the crime. We urge my Lord to look at the seriousness of this case.

“We have a medical report showing that the victim is already infected and is under intensive care. If the defendant is granted bail, he could manipulate the prosecution witnesses. We want the court to look at the prevalence of cases of paedophiles in the society, which can lead to increase in cervical cancer.”

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A.A. Demi Ajayi overruled the bail application of the defence counsel, saying he did not address the facts of the case.

She added, “In view of the prevalence of the case, the defendant is to be remanded in prison pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.”

The matter was adjourned till September 24, 2014 for legal advice.