For allegedly raping his neighbour’s 17-year-old daughter, a 35-year-old man was on Friday charged before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The accused, Adedayo Abatan, a vulcanizer, who lives at No. 48, Aka Road, Ojo, is standing trial on a charge of rape.

Police prosecutor Godwin Eze told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 8 at about 8 p.m.

“The accused asked the girl to help him to buy a sachet of paracetamol from a nearby pharmacy.

“The girl returned with the drug and knocked on the door and on entering, she found Abatan naked on the chair. The accused pounced on her and covered her mouth before defiling her,’’ he said.

Mr. Eze said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 137 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, but the accused pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, T.O. Shomade granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case to Dec. 19 for mention.