A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Dutse, Jigawa State has remanded an All Progressives Congress (APC) chief in the state, Saleh Idris over allegations of raping and impregnating his 14-year-old housemaid.
Idris, 56, who is the chairperson of APC in Roni Local Government Area of Jigawa State, North-west Nigeria, was arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on 4 October following a complaint by the victim’s brother.
It was said that the teenager was kept working in his house for seven months without pay.
The suspect allegedly offered her a drink that made her lose consciousness and then had carnal knowledge of her.
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The victim was threatened not to tell anyone or risk losing her monthly allowances.
The suspect however denied the allegations during interrogations.
Idris has been charged with rape and impregnation of his teenage housemaid, which was contrary to section 3 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of Jigawa State and punishable under the same law.
Laboratory tests carried out on the teenager at the State Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (SARC) confirmed a healthy pregnancy of about four months and two weeks.
The magistrate, Salisu Musa ordered the remand of Idris in the correctional facility till 22 November to afford the agency more time to complete investigations.
The case was reported at the NSCDC Divisional office, Roni LGA Division after a failed agreement by the suspect to care for the pregnancy.
Backed and supported by the Jigawa Human Rights Network, the case was later transferred to the State Command on 11 October.
