A Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kafanchan has ordered the remand of a farmer, Timothy Ayock, in a correctional facility over allegations that he raped a 70-year-old widow.
Ayock was arraigned on two counts bordering on rape and use of criminal force, offences said to contravene Sections 257 and 237 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.
The state prosecutor, Daniel Isah, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on December 26 at the Tagama community in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state.
According to the prosecution, Ayock forcefully had sexual intercourse with the elderly widow during the incident.
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, the prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable the state to present its witnesses and substantiate the allegations.
In a ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Michael Eugene, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kafanchan Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The judge adjourned the case until March 5 for hearing.