Double Jeopardy: Woman Whose Daughter Was Raped By Neighbour Sent To Prison

Posted on September 8, 2017

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The police at Shasha Division, Lagos have arrested a 32-year old woman, Mrs. Esther Mazi, whose little daughter was allegedly raped by their married neighbour and has been remanded in prison custody.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the wife of the accused man, Mrs Damilola Paul had dragged Esther to the station on the allegation that she assaulted and tore her (Damilola)’s clothes.

Damilola had claimed that Esther slapped and tore her clothes worth N10,000 after they both fought at their residence at 46, Shasha Road, Shasha Akowonjo, Lagos.

It was gathered that Damilola’s husband has been in prison custody after he was charged for penetrating and defiling Esther’s little girl.

The matter was reported to the police then and her husband was charged before Ogba Magistrates court and remanded in prison.

Since then, there has been squabbles between the two women because Esther refused to withdraw the rape case against Damilola’s husband from the court.

After the recent fight, the police reportedly went to their house in Shasha, arrested Esther as requested by Paul without really carrying out an investigation to know what happened between the two women

She was charged before an Ejigbo Magistrates court and was remanded in prison custody pending when she will perfect her bail condition.
However, the DPO of the station claimed that he was not around when the woman was brought to the station and charged to court for the alleged offence.
The DPO also said he was only told that it was a case of assault that was reported against her.
However, the residents said it was a planned frame up to put pressure on the victim’s family to withdraw the alleged rape charged against her husband.
The police charge sheet sighted by P.M.EXPRESS alleged that Esther assaulted and tore Damilola’s clothes during the squabble in their compound.
She however denied but rather claimed that it was the complainant that tore her clothes and asked the police to carry out a proper investigation, but the police replied her that the complainant asked them to charge the matter to the court.

Esther was then charged before the court and pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrates Mr Akeem Fashola granted her bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum.
However, Esther will remain in prison custody until she perfects her bail condition.