Deeper Life School Saga: Court Commences Proceeding Under Close-Door In A/Ibom
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The Magistrate Court sitting in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State has commenced proceeding on the ongoing Deeper Life School crisis under close door setting considering the juveniles involved in the case.
TNN recalls that the Akwa Ibom State Police command had arraigned seven persons including minors in connection with an alleged sexual molestation and maltreatment of one Don-Davis Archibong, a student of Deeper Life High School, Idoro, Uyo, recently.
The culprits were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit Felony to wit: indecent treatment of boys under fourteen and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 556 of the criminal code, cap.38, Vol.2. Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, 2000.
The minors were charged for unlawfully assaulting Don-Davies Archibong punishable under section 218(1) of the Criminal code, cap.38, vol.2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, 2000, including section 362(1) of the Laws of Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking with the Counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. David Okokon, shortly after proceedings, said, the court followed the standard of proceedings obtainable globally in the juvenile case, adding that it was the reason journalists were not allowed to participate
Also speaking, the Counsel to the defendant, Barr.Nojin Tairu, said”by standard like this, when you have started a proceedings, you are not allowed to be making comments about the nitty-gritty of the matter. But I need to explain this to you so that we do not run foul of what is the standard practice everywhere in the world. At the end of the proceedings you will have all the fact and all that transpired in the Court.
“The matter is subjudice it would not be so decent to be hearing other version of the matter.
“This is actually a juvenile court, and the law and the court is weary of exposing somethings that may have harmful effect on the children involved. There are three children in this matter, we need to be careful and sensitive” he added.
However, the case was adjourned to February 10, 2021 for further hearing.
