A 64-year-old man, Steven Sajewo, has appeared before an Ilorin Chief Magistrates' court presided over by Mr. Lekan Adegbite for allegedly raping a yam hawker.

Sajewo, a retired broadcaster, was charged on one count-charge of rape, which contravened Section 283 of the Penal Code.

He was alleged to have lured the 16-year-old girl to his residence at Oja Iya area of Ilorin, Kwara State, and forcibly had carnal knowledge of her.

According to the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday, neigbours got wind of the incident as the girl kept on screaming.

The neighbours were said to have alerted the police who promptly arrested the accused.

The Prosecutor, Mr. Moshood Adebayo, objected to the bail application of Sajewo, saying the offence was a non-bailable one. He stated that the police were still investigating, adding that granting the accused bail could jeorpardise investigation.

Sajewo was not represented by any counsel, but the father of the victim told the court that the family would want to withdraw the matter from the court.

Adegbite therefore directed him to present a letter to the court to that effect on the next adjourned date.

The magistrate later admitted Sajewo to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

The matter was adjourned to May 3.