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In a sobering development from Akure, the Ondo State capital, Moses Udoh has been remanded in prison custody after a magistrate court found evidence suggesting that he assaulted his 11-year-old daughter. The case has drawn attention to the alarming rise in child abuse cases and underscores the court’s commitment to addressing such grave matters.
Following an investigation into the assault, Moses Udoh was taken into custody by the Ondo State Police last week. Authorities allege the incident took place on Igboniki Street in Akure, with the defendant facing serious charges for the violent act against his 11-year-old daughter.
He was arraigned before the court on two counts bothering indecent sexual assault of a minor and threat to life.
At the court on Thursday, the prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Oniyere, told the court that the defendant on several occasions forcefully had sexual intercourse with his 11-year-old biological daughter, which caused the victim harm.
Oniyere also said the defendant threatened to kill the victim if she dared tell anyone about his action.
According to the prosecutor, the offence committed contravenes Sections 25(a) and 86(2) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2021.
Read also: Man Jailed 10yrs For Defiling 9-Year-Old Daughter In Anambra
Udoh pleaded not guilty to the offence but his plea was not taken due to the nature of the offence
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional centre, pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
Ruling, the magistrate, Temilola Olusola-Olujobi ordered the remand of the defendant in the correctional centre and also ruled that the case should be transferred to the family court and adjourned the case till December 10, for trial.
Narrating her ordeal, the victim, alleged that her father often had sexual intercourse with her in his room, and most of the time would threaten to kill her if she opened up to anyone.
She said, “My father has been forcefully having sexual intercourse with me through my front and my back. He started it when I was 10 years old and I cannot count the number of times he has done it.
“Whenever my father was sleeping with me in the night, he would increase the volume of his radio, so that my voice would not be heard by neighbours around.
“He instructed me not to tell our neighbours about it and also threatened to kill me and the person. When I noticed that blood was coming out of my anus, which is now causing discomfort for me, I decided to tell his sister.”
