A prosecution witness, Ms Joy Tyokghri, on Wednesday, told an Abuja High Court that her younger brother, Godspower Vandefan, admitted he befriended 12-year-old girl and got her pregnant.
Tyokghri, who made this known while being led in evidence by the defence counsel, Ameize Obi, however said their family offered to marry the minor.
The Attorney-General of the Federation charged Vendefan with rape.
“The defendant is my younger brother. Sometime in January 2024, I received a message from Mr Kenneth Atu, the minor’s guardian.
“I checked on him three times but did not meet him at home.
“So, the next day, I got a call from the Karmo Police Station asking me to report there. I asked why and was told that Atu reported that my younger brother got his daughter pregnant.
“I was shocked and angry with my brother, and told Atu to do whatever he deemed proper with my brother.
“Afterwards, I pleaded with Atu to consider our relationship because we are both from Benue.
“My brother told me that the girl was his girlfriend and admitted that he was responsible for the pregnancy.
“He said the girl visits him at my house when I am at work, but I was not aware of what had been going on; otherwise, I would have stopped it,” she said.
She said she visited their traditional leader in Karmo and explained everything to him.
She said the chief advised them not to allow the matter to go out, saying that it is excruciating but should be handled amicably as Tiv people.
“Atu told the Chief that he wanted to go to the village to inform the minor’s family about the issue, and I begged one of my uncles to go to the village as well to see the family in Makurdi,” she said.
The witness said that her uncle asked the minor’s family for her hand in marriage, but the family declined, saying that she was too young.
She said that her uncle gave the minor’s family some money and promised to take care of her upkeep.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, however, adjourned the matter until Sept.18 for hearing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution, M.A. Oladunjoye, alleged that the defendant forcefully had sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old and got her pregnant.
The offence, she said, contravened the provisions of section 31(1) and was punishable under (2) of the said section of the Child Rights Act 2013. (NAN)
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