A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered the remand of a private security guard, Joel Monday, at a correctional centre for allegedly defiling, impregnating, and maltreating a 16-year-old girl.
Monday was arraigned on offences bordering on unlawful sexual intercourse, physical abuse, and intimidation, contrary to Section 31 (2) of the Child Rights Law of Ondo State, which prescribes life imprisonment for offenders.
The victim, whose identity was withheld, narrated how her quest for a better life led her from Cross River State to Akure, where she eventually fell prey to Monday’s alleged abuses.
The teenage girl said he gave her pregnancy prevention pills after every encounter.
“I came to Akure because life was very hard for my family back home, and I wanted to assist my sick mother. My mother has five children and our father didn’t take care of us. So when a man called ‘White’ told me I could find better opportunities in Akure, I followed him,” she said.
She disclosed that she initially secured employment as a housemaid with one Mr David for a year and was promised ₦180,000 as salary. However, she was only paid ₦50,000.
“My mother had warned me not to stay longer than a year, but after being cheated, I couldn’t return home,” she said.
The teenager said that while searching for another job, she met Monday, who allegedly offered her accommodation and promised to help her secure better employment. However, that marked the beginning of her ordeal.
