Four minors have been remanded in the juvenile correctional facility at Ijokodo, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, for allegedly raping a female schoolmate who was mentally challenged.
The minors, who are students of Eleyele Secondary School, Eleyele, Ibadan, were put behind bars by a Family Court in Iyaganku on Tuesday.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Sumbo Adetuyibi, ruled that the students be remanded in the Abolongo Correctional facility if rejected at the Ijokodo facility.
The minors pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy and unlawful sexual intercourse.
However, Magistrate Adetuyibi did not take their plea due to lack of jurisdiction.
She adjourned the matter until May 11, for mention.
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According to the Police Prosecutor, Insp Folake Ewe, the students allegedly conspired to commit the offence between January and March 15.
The prosecutor told the court that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 516 of the Criminal Code and section 34 of the Oyo State Child Rights Law 2006.
Meanwhile, a mysterious fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, at Onitsha main market, in Anambra State.
A source, Mr Barth Ifediora, who raised alarm, said the fire broke out early morning of Tuesday, in a section of the market known as White House.
White House is the office of the leaders of the market, an expansive two-storey building and hosts several offices, halls for meetings in the first and second floor, while the ground floor hosts shops.
A source said, “The area mostly affected by the fire is the block of shops under the white house, where expensive lace materials are sold.”
The fire service boss in Anambra State, Martin Agbili could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
Traders have, however, mobilized to the market to fight the fire.