Islamic Cleric docked over alleged defilement of 12-yr-old girl

An 32-year-old Islamic cleric, Kazeem Jimoh, on Monday appeared before an Ota Magistrates' Court in Ogun, charged with the alleged defilement of a 12-year-old girl.

Jimoh, whose address was not given, is facing a one-count charge of rape.

The prosecutor, Insp. Peter Molokwu, told the court that the cleric committed the offence on March 18 at 8.00 p.m. in an uncompleted building opposite Community Primary School, Iloye in Ota.

Molokwu said that the accused lured the girl into the building and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

He said that police investigation revealed that the cleric had previously engaged in the act with the girl.

The prosecutor said that the offence committed contravened Section 218 of the Criminal Code Vol. 1 of the Revised Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The Magistrate, Mrs Titi Bello, admitted Jimoh to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties must be resident within the court's jurisdiction and show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun Government.

Bello said that one of the sureties must also be an owner of a developed land, while the other should be a civil servant not below Level 14 in the employment of the Ogun government.

The case was adjourned till May 23, for mention.