By Izunna Okafor, Awka
A landlord and popular palm oil dealer, Mr Nsikak Akpan, has been arrested for allegedly raping a babygirl of one year, seven month-old.
The 50-year-old suspect, a resident of Betem Community in Biase Local Government area of Cross River state and landlord to the mother of the baby, Miss Serah Ohameso, was said to have committed the act when the little girl came to play with his children in his house.
It was further gathered that the landlord was moaning and sweating when he was raping the little girl and also ejaculated on her body thereafter.
The landlord, who was caught in the act by community youths, was said to have attempted to bribe the youths, telling them to name the amount he would pay them to switch off the case.
Recounting what transpired, the Vice President of Betem Youth Council and Member of the Betem Traditional Rulers Council, Rev. ThankGod Arong, said the toddler was seriously bleeding at a cottage hospital in Biase Local Government Area where she is been taking care of at the moment.
He said: “Mr Nsikak is an oil Palm dealer and Lanlord in Betem. The incident happened at about 2 pm on Tuesday at his residence where he lives with his wife and children. Although, he is not an indigene, he has lived for so long with us.
“From what we gathered, the child went to play with Mr. Nsikak’s 7-year-old son, when the suspect took advantage of the toddler, defiling her and ejaculating on her body.
“When he was caught, he was still breathing heavily and sweating from the devilish act. He wanted to bribe the youths, as he asked them to name their price, that he was willing to pay them any amount to bury the matter.
“But the courageous youths did not accept his offer; instead they handed him over to DPO, Biase Divisional Police.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed that the suspects was in their custody and that he would be brought to the Police Command Headquarters as soon as possible, from where he would be charged to court.
