By FAROUQ UMAR KHADIJAH

The FCT High Court on Wednesday remanded a 40- year-old University of Abuja law student, Monday Goodluck , for allegedly raping a 100 -level Medicine and Surgery student.

Justice M.S Idris, the trial judge, gave the order after rejecting an oral bail application from Defence Counsel, Mr Samson Francis .

The judge remanded Goodluck in Kuje Correctional Facility pending the determination of his bail application.

The defendant counsel, Francis prayed the court to admit his client to bail orally but was denied by the court.

Justice Idris directed him to file a written bail application and serve the same to the prosecution.

Justice Idris then adjourned the matter until June 9 for further hearing.

Goodluck was arraigned by the police on a -two- count charge bordering on rape and causing physical injury.

The Prosecution Counsel, Alexander Agbo, alleged that the defendant sexually assaulted the 100-level medical student in his house.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant tricked the victim into believing that he has the link for her to get approved for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

He alleged that the incident occurred at the residence of the defendant about 11pm on March 25,.

Agbo said the offence is punishable under Section 1 (1) and (2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

Goodluck ‘s offence also included causing physical injury and inflicting fear by shoving fingers into the victim ‘s mouth in an attempt to prevent her from screaming.

This, Agbo said, is punishable under Section 2 (1) of The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2025.

The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. (NAN)

Rivers Assembly: Anxiety as appeal panel ends sitting, aspirants await report

Aspirants seeking tickets of the All Progressives Congress for the Rivers State House of Assembly who submitted appeals after their screening last weekend are waiting with bated breaths at the outcome of the appeal.

Meanwhile, the APC Assembly Screening Appeal Committee charged by Abdul Mahmud concluded its two-day sitting on Wednesday evening.

Mahmud, has promised that the committee will attend to all petitions until 5pm on Wednesday and commended the aspirants for their peaceful conduct.

The number of petitions so far received by the committee could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

As of Tuesday when the Panel chairman briefed the media he said 19 petitions were received, saying it will sit till 5pm on Friday to receive more from other aspirants.

When our correspondent visited the APC Secretariat along Aba Road at about 6pm Wednesday, the place was still slightly busy but it was gathered that the committee had rounded off and left .

The State APC spokesman, Chibike Ikenga, who was seen driving out of the secretariat confirmed that the panel was done with their report, adding that they will disclose their findings in due course.

When contacted, one of the aspirants who submitted an appeal, GOGO Isaiah said he appeared before the panel with the necessary documents requested.

“So I’m waiting for the panel to make their report public,” he stated.(The PUNCH)

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