The accused are James Anyanwu, 56, and Ukie Oko, 36. The accused, both residents of Ogba area of Ikeja, Lagos, are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, rape, obtaining under false pretext and stealing. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 1 at Fagba area of Iju, Ikeja, Lagos. Unah alleged that the accused, who pretended to be members of the complainant’s church, fraudulently obtained money from the woman and also raped her. “The complainant said that her husband dropped her at Maryland Bus Stop and she was about to go and look for a cab to Oshodi when one of the accused came to meet her pretending to be her church member. “The complainant who also thought that Anyanwu was a church member, agreed to enter his cab not knowing he was into 419 business. “She said that as they were going the accused stopped to pick up his co-conspirator, who was acting and speaking like a foreigner. “The complainant said that when she realised that they were fraudsters, she begged the driver to drop her, but instead he increased the speed of the car. “The complainant said that they took her to an uncompleted building and told her to bring out all the money in her bag. “The woman said that after collecting the money, the duo told her to remove her clothes and they took turns to forcefully have carnal knowledge of her without her consent. “She said that she was rescued by some policemen who were on patrol in the area and noticed that something dubious was happening at the building. “The accused persons were immediately arrested and taken to the police station.” The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 258, 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 258 prescribes life imprisonment for rape, while Section 312 stipulates a 15-year jail term for obtaining money under false pretext, if found guilty. However, the accused denied the charges levied against them. The Senior Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Gbajumo, granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N100,000, and each with one surety in like sum. Gbajumo adjourned the case to Sept. 21 for mention. (NAN)]]>