Yinusa Dahiru, alias Yellow, the alleged abductor of Ese Rita Eruru, the 14 years old Delta born teenager abducted to Kano from Yenagoa, was arraigned before a Federal High Court on five count charge of abduction, kidnapping, unlawful carnal knowledge and sexual exploitation.

Yinusa, appeared in court in a relaxed mood and was arraigned before Hon. Justice H.A. Nganjiwa, of the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa on Tuesday, in charge No FHC/YNG/17c/2016, in a case between the Inspector General of Police, IGP, versus Yinusa Dahiru ‘M’ aged 18 years.

Prior to his arraignment a Special Prosecutor from the Police Force headquarters in Abuja had arrived Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital ahead of the preparations for the formal arraignment of the alleged mastermind of the abduction of 14-year-old Miss Ese Oruru from Bayelsa to Kano State and forceful marry her and convert her to Islam.

The Special Prosecutor, who arrived Bayelsa on Saturday, is reported to have met with the Suspect, Yinusa Dahiru and the victim, 14 years old, Ese Oruru to get statements.

The charges reads, ‘That you Yunusa Dahiru ‘m’ of Opolo-Epie, with Dankano Mohammed, ‘m’, Mallam Alhassan, ‘m’ presently at large between the months of August 2015 and February 2016 at Opolo-Epie in Yenagoa Judicial Division of the Federal High Court did conspire among yourself to commit an offence to wit: Abduction and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 27 (a) of the Trafficking in Persons (prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

“That you Yunusa Dahiru ‘m’ of Opolo-Epie between the months of August 2015 and February 2016 at Opolo Epie, Yenegoa, in the Yenagoa Division of the Federal High Court abducted one Rita Ese Oruru ‘f’ aged 14 years by means of coercion, transported and harboured her in Kano state and therby committed an offence punishable under section 13 (2) (b) of the Trafficking in Persons (prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

“That you Yunusa Dahiru ‘m’ of Opolo-Epie between the months of August 2015 and February 2016 at Opolo-Epie. Yenagoa in the Yenagoa Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, induced one Rita Ese Oruru ‘f’ aged 14 years by the use of deception and coercion to go with you from Yenagoa to Kano state with intent that she be forced or seduced into illicit intercourse and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 15 (a) of the Trafficking in Persons (prohibition) Enforcement Administration Act, 2015.

“That you Yunusa Dahiru ‘m’ of Opolo-Epie between the months of August 2015 and February 2016 2016 at Opolo-Epie, Yenagoa in Yenagoa Judicial Division of the Federal High Court procured one Rita Ese Oruru ‘f’ aged 14 years and subjected her into sexual exploitation in Kano state and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 16 (1) of the Trafficking in person (prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

“That you Yunusa ‘m’ of Opolo-Epie between the months of August 1015 and Fenruary 2016 at OIpolo-Epie. Yenagoa in Yenagoa Judicial Division of the Federal High Court had unlawful carnal knowledge of one Rita Ede Oruru ‘f’ aged 14 years, without her consent and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 357 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under section 358 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C. 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigerian, 2004.”

After hearing the charges, the accused person, Yunusa Dahiru, pleaded not guilty before the court while the case was adjourned to the 14th of March for hearing on the bail application by his counsel, Kayode Olaoshaebikan.

The Judge ruled that the accused be remanded in prison custody

Speaking with reporters shortly after his arraignment in court unruffled, Yunusa, said he has been dating Ese before they both left for kano, saying that his mother was aware of the illicit relationship.

He admitted being responsible for Ese five months pregnancy, but says she did not know how old the pregnancy was as he started sleeping with her months before they both left for Kano.

He said it was only the father that was not aware of their relationship but the mother know that they were both seeing each other.

Speaking, the counsel to Yunusa, Kayode Olashaebikan, said there was no case,” it is easy for the prosecution to bring up charges but Yunusa as a man has pleaded not guilty and it is left for the prosecution to prove their case beyond every reasonable doubt.

“It is case of two love birds, in our social parlance we call it elopement but government and the state prefer to call it abduction and it is left for the court to decide whether it is abduction or elopement of two minors because Yunusa is 18 years old and the girl in question is 14 years old.”

While the Prosecuting counsel, Kenneth Dika, said the state was ready to prove its case against the accused persons, with its six witnesses.

•Photo shows Yunusa Dahiru, a.k.a Yellow, alleged abductor of 14-year-old Ese Oruru, guarded by armed policemen as he leaves the Federal High Court in Yenagoa today.

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