KINGSLEY EBERE
Police operatives from the Gender Section of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two 17-year old boys, Adu Joshua and Salami Azeez, for allegedly gang raping their neighbour’s 11-year old daughter.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Oguntolu Street, Itabale, Shomolu area of Lagos, where they reside.
They have been charged before the Court for defilement, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.
The defendants were alleged to have lured the girl to an apartment, intimidated her and forcefully engaged her in sex one after the other. And having satisfied themselves, they allowed her to go.
The girl was terribly afraid to tell her parents after the incident happened but told a female soldier living with them in the same neighborhood, who in turn informed her parents.
The matter was reported to the Police at Alade Division and the defendants were arrested and later transferred to the Gender Section of the Police Command for interrogation over their alleged conduct.
During interrogation, the boys reportedly admitted to have done so with the girl’s consent, which she denied and claimed that they raped her.
The Police found them culpable and subsequently charged them before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
They pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asked the Court to give a date and refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice because of the nature of the alleged offence.
However, the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
They were remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre pending when they will perfect their bail conditions while matter was adjourned till 20th September, 2023, for mention.