Man charged with raping girl, 13

A man was yesterday charged with raping a 13-year-old girl and holding her against her will. He and a fellow countryman were charged with defiling the underage girl and violently and indecently assaulting her.

Jummah Mohammed Aka, 27, from Niger, was accused of raping the girl last month in St Paul's Bay.

Mr Aka and Abdallah Danganoma Omar, 21, were accused of defilement and of violent, indecent assault.

They pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, who turned down their request for bail.

The two men were remanded in custody.

Police Inspectors Raymond Aquilina and Melvyn Camilleri prosecuted while lawyer Anthony Cutajar represented the men as legal aid.