FCT court detains University of Abuja student over rape charge case as a 40-year-old law student is detained over alleged sexual assault in Abuja
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 40-year-old University of Abuja law student, Monday Goodluck, over allegations of rape involving a 100-level Medicine and Surgery student.
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FCT court places University of Abuja student on remand over rape charge case followed proceedings before Justice M.S. Idris, who rejected an oral bail application made by the defence counsel, Mr Samson Francis.
Justice Idris ordered that the defendant be held at the Kuje Correctional Facility pending the hearing of a formal bail application.
The defence counsel had urged the court to grant bail orally, but the request was denied, with the judge directing that a written application be filed and served on the prosecution.
The matter was adjourned until June 9 for further hearing.
Monday Goodluck was arraigned by the police on a two-count charge bordering on rape and causing physical injury.
Prosecuting counsel Alexander Agbo alleged that the defendant sexually assaulted the 100-level medical student at his residence after luring her under the pretext of assisting her with access to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.
The prosecution further told the court that the alleged incident occurred at about 11pm on March 25 at the defendant’s home.
According to the prosecution, the offence is punishable under Sections 1(1) and (2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
It was also alleged that the defendant inflicted injury and caused fear by forcibly placing his fingers in the victim’s mouth to prevent her from screaming, an act said to contravene Section 2(1) of the same law.
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Monday Goodluck, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
