A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each to the principal of the Deeper Life High School, Uyo, and four accused persons in the alleged molestation of an 11-year-old JSS 1 pupil, Don Davies.
The minors mentioned in the case were, however, released to their parents.
The seven accused persons arraigned were Mrs Ndidi Solomon (suspended principal), Joseph Nseabasi, Akpan Johnson, Egor Wilson, Joseph Ikenna, and the two minors.
The accused are standing trial on four counts bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, to wit: indecent treatment of boys under 14.
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 556 of the Criminal Code Cap. 38 Vol 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, 2000.
The two minors were charged with acts of gross indecency by inserting their fingers into the anus of the victim and committing an offence punishable under Section 218(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap.38, Vol.2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, 2000.
In the same manner, Nseabasi, Johnson, Wilson and Ikenna were charged for failure to prevent the minors from the alleged act.
When the charges were read, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty.
Counsel for the accused, Fedelis Igwe, applied for bail.
The magistrate subsequently granted the accused persons bail and adjourned the matter till January 20, 2021 for accelerated hearing.
Counsel for the petitioner, David Okokon, said he was committed to ensuring that justice was served.
