A 36-year-old man, Ezechi Uwazie who allegedly abducted a 17-year-old girl, has appeared before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The accused is facing a two-count charge of abduction and fraud.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Okoliko, told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large at Suru-Alaba in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos on Aug.19 at 12.00 p.m.
According to him, the accused walked up to the girl and presented himself as an importer, who is in search of the place where his goods are kept.
“The girl, who was sent to the bank by her boss, described how he can get to Cele Bus Stop in Okota, Lagos.
“The man insisted that she should take him to the place claiming that he was new in Lagos.
“Suddenly, a man, who is also an accomplice, came to meet the girl, pretending that he did not know the man, suggested that they should accompany the man to the place.
“The girl became unconscious and accepted the offer and they boarded a bus heading to Cele Bus Stop.
“When they alighted from the bus, they told the girl that they should take a bus heading to Ejigbo, but the girl insisted that she cannot help again.
“When they were at Cele Bus Stop, a man, who noticed that something was fishy, went to a nearby police station to report,’’ Okoliko said.
“In the course of the argument, the accomplice pretending to be a Good Samaritan saw the man coming with a policeman and absconded.
“The `fake importer’ was immediately arrested.’’
The offences contravened Sections 141 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The Magistrate, Mrs. M.I. Dan-Oni, granted the accused bail in the sum of 200,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.
The sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of tax payment to the state government, she said.
The case was adjourned to Sept.13 for trial.