An Osun monarch has been dragged before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl and impregnating her.

The Aketewi of Iketewi, David Ogungbemi, 62, was on arraigned alongside his son, Idowu, and one Sarafa Olayiwola on Thursday.

They were arraigned before Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara on three counts of conspiracy, rape and sexual exploitation.

They were alleged to have conspired among themselves and sexually exploited the victim.

The defendants were also alleged to have had sexual intercourse with the victim, who got pregnant in the process.

The police prosecutor, John Idoko, alleged that the defendants committed the offences on 5 May 2020 in Ilare-Ijesa.

According to him, the defendants were living in the same house with the victim when they committed the act.

Idoko said the actions of the defendants were contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002, as well as sections 31 and 32 of the Child’s Right Act, Cap 050, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Yinka Popoola and Tunbosun Oladipupo announced appearances for the defendants.

They applied for bail on behalf of their clients and promised that they would provide reliable sureties.

Magistrate Ayilara, however, remanded the defendants in police custody.

He adjourned the matter till Monday, May 18, 2020, for a ruling on the bail application.