A 37-year-old dismissed policeman, Umar Babatunde, was Wednesday remanded in prison custody by an Egor Chief Magistrate Court in Benin, Édo State capital, southern Nigeria, for allegedly having unlawful carnal knowledge of a nine-year-old girl.

Babatunde who pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge, allegedly committed the offence on 2 November, 2015, at 12B, Omokaro Street, off Siluko Road, Benin.

The Investigating Police Officer, Sgt. Vivian Akhionbare, in her testimony, told the court that the accused has since been dismissed from the Nigeria Police in November 2015 when the case was reported.

The State Counsel, Mrs. O. R. Ewemade, told the court that offence contravenes Section 218 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 48 Vol. ll laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, as applicable in Edo state.
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The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Igho Braimoh, who remanded the accused in prison custody, adjourned the case till 11 May for hearing.‎