30th October, 2014
Cyriacus Izuekwe
Two performing artists are standing trial before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos State, western Nigeria, over an alleged rape and indecent assault on a female dancer.
The two musicians, Ekene Uzor, 27, and Eni Daniel, 24, were arrested when the victim (name withheld) reported to the police that the suspects allegedly conspired to rape and blackmail her.
The 20-year old victim alleged that the musicians lured her to Uzor’s residence at 10, Joel Ajeye Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, where she was forced to remove her clothes and suck their penises.
She added that they took her pictures while performing the oral sex and threatened to post them on the internet if she refused to pay N10, 000 ransom demanded from her.
Testifying before the court, the victim, who resides at Surulere area of Lagos, said Uzor, who was known by her parents, promised to introduce her to an artiste who will promote her dancing career.
She said Uzor invited her to his house on the fateful day to meet the artists called Daniel, whom he said was his friend.
She narrated that when she got to Uzor’s house, Daniel was already there and Uzor assured her that he had discussed the issue with his friend.
The victim alleged that she did not suspect any foul play until she was told to remove her clothes.
By then, according to her, they had secretly locked the apartment.
She said she was threatened to cooperate with them and they stripped themselves and forced her to suck their penises.
She told the court that while she was sucking them one after another, they were using their phones to record the oral sex.
The girl said when they were satisfied, they released her and allowed her to go. She said after the incident, Uzor came to her house and demanded for the money.
The victim said she became frustrated and told her father about the incident and the matter was reported to the police.
While investigating the matter, the police told the victim to agree to pay the ransom and asked her to tell the suspects to come and collect the money.
When Uzor and Daniel came for the ransom, they were arrested by the police who laid ambush for them. The phones with which they used to record her nude pictures were recovered.
The nude pictures were printed out as exhibit by the police. The suspects were charged to court for the alleged offense.
When they were arraigned, they pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs M.B. Folami, granted them bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The matter was adjourned till 3 November for continuation of trial.