By Lola Seriki-Idahosa, (Abeokuta) Nigeria …..Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital has remanded the Director of St. Stephen international school and Children Home, Rev. Isaac Oluwole Newton-Wusu over a five count- charge.

The charges ranging from rape, attempt to commit rape, indecent assault on Females in the 3, 4 and 5 count-charge respectively, with a charge no: AB/64C/2018.

The prosecuting counsel, Solomon Maren under the fiat of the Attorney General of Ogun state informed the court that rape and attempt to rape are felony contrary to section 358 and 359 of the criminal code of the state laws.

The written address contained that sometime in the year 2010, the accused person at four different occasions did rape one Deborah Bala, female inmate of the school at 12 year without her consent.

It also informed the court that the accused person did attempt to rape one Susan Rayner at 14 years old by forcing himself on her to have unlawful carnal knowledge with the said Susan.

The charges four and five respectively accused the defendant of indecent assault on Eunice Bitrus and Rifkatu Musa both at 14 year old and forcefully continued to handle with the breasts and held the duo to himself at different occasions.

The defendant, Isaac Oluwole Newton-Wusu who comprehended the content of the five count- charge, as read by the clerk of the court pleaded not guilty of any of the count charge

In his defence, the counsel to the defendant, Samuel Nwaji seeks application for bail on behalf of his client.

In the sermon he said the application is in pursuance to section 165,169,170,171 and section 36 (5) of the 1999 constitution.

He added that the application is backed by two affidavits which were deposited by the applicant himself having eight exhibits attached to it.

While pleading that his client should be granted bail on self recognition and be given 48 hours to perfect the bail conditions, Nwaji said the bail conditions should be liberal.

The presiding Judge, Justice Solomon Olugbemi after listening to the argument of the counsels gave a bail condition of : ‘ N5 million, with two responsible sureties who must have developed properties with approved building plans.

Parts of the conditions was that the sureties must have documented evidence of three years tax clearance and be residents within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case has been adjourned to April 4, for further hearing.

The school which was said to have derailed from it vision was established to serve as shelter and educational centre for children who were either orphaned or lost one of the parents to past series of violence in Kaduna, Jos and insurgency in parts of the north suddenly became a school for sexual exploitation.

It would be recalled that earlier, the ex-inmates had alleged that six of their colleagues lose their lives due to negligence and poor health care by the school management despite funds being donated by charity foundations both home and abroad to the centre.

Information gathered shows that the school has continuously exploitation the predicament of the students to solicit and received donations from USA, Netherland, Australia, Canada, Poland and Nigerian Churches.
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