IT was neither a case of marriage nor love affair that led a 70-year-old man to have a carnal knowledge of an eight-year-old girl. 

But the man, name withheld, who lives at Oba Bolanata street on Emirs road, was reported to have mated with an eight-year old girl in his house after when he threatened the girl to keep the secret from her mother. 

The Guardian investigation reveals that the suspect has slept with several other underage girls in the neigbourhood.

But nemesis caught up with him on Friday June 21 this year when his victim, (names withheld) complained to her mother of itching on her genitalia.

Enquiries from the mother showed that the man would often invite his victim to his house, entice her with a paltry sum of N20 and then had sex with her. 

The girl told her mother that the suspect usually warned her not to tell anybody about the intercourse. "He would say if I should tell my mother, he would kill me."

When the itching did not stop, her mother took her to a private hospital in the town where she was treated before she was later referred to the UITH

 The Guardian sources disclosed that the man in question, a local chief had defiled several other children living in the area.

One of the health workers at the UITH told The Guardian under condition of anonymity that series of tests have been carried out on the eight year old victim, adding, "but I can't tell you the results now, because more tests will still be conducted on her."

  Already, the man had submitted himself to the medical experts at the UITH in order to determine his health status. Besides, he had allegedly confessed to the commission of the crime to the victim's relatives. A medical source said the Mallam might equally be suffering from psychiatric disorder.

An uncle to the victim, Ishiaq Mogaji told The Guardian that since the incident, the suspect has been sending emissary to the family of the victim, describing the incident as "work of the devil". But Mogaji said the matter might go to court to serve as deterrence to others.