Man, 26, gets 6-month jail term for abducting 10-year-old girl

A 26-year-old albino, Gbenga Soretire, has jailed for six months by an Abeokuta Chief Magistrate's Court for abducting a 10-year-old
girl (name withheld).

Soretire was, however, given an option to pay N20,000 fine.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Paul Etusi, told the court that the cobbler, on Sept. 8, abducted the girl near Omida Market in the Abeokuta metropolis.

He said the girl was found wandering around the market on the said date and was taken to the head of the market (Baba Oja) by some good-spirited individuals.

Etusi said the market head ordered the accused to take the victim to the Ibara Police Station, a few metres away from the market, but instead he took her to his house at Ijeja.

The prosecutor further said the accused was arrested after the victim was found in his house five days later.

Four witnesses called by the prosecution -- Alani Samuel (market head), the young girl, Salawu Mufutau (girl's father) and the Investigating Police Officer in charge of the case, Sgt. Adelakun Adio -- all corroborated the prosecutor's claim.

The girl told the court that the accused did not take her to the police station but to his house at Ijeja.

While Samuel expressed surprise at the attitude of the accused and regretted handing over the girl to him, Adio tendered the statement made by Soretire.

The accused, who was not represented by a counsel, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Chief Magistrate K.M. Peters consequently found him guilty and sentenced him to six months imprisonment or to pay N20,000 as fine.