Boy, 17, Faces Life Imprisonment For Sleeping With Girl, 11

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 17-year old boy, John Ojewole, may spend the rest of his life in prison custody for allegedly sleeping with his neighbour’s 11-year old girl in Lagos State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports the suspect, Ojewole, was arrested and charged for defilement, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.

The incident happened at Prophet Adebayo Street in Agodo Egbe area of Ikotun, Lagos, where they reside.

According to the Police, the suspect lured the girl, engaged her in sex and they were later caught. The girl’s parents insisted that he defiled the victim.

Thus, the parents reported the matter to the Police at Ikotun Division. The boy was subsequently arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

During interrogation, the boy admitted to have slept with the victim as his girl friend but the Police found him culpable for engaging a minor in the act despite the fact that he too is a minor.

He was charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence under Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of the State.

However, the Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor, Inspector John Iberedem, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice because of the nature of the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. E. Kubenije, ordered his remand in custody pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP.

The matter was adjourned till 24th July, 2024, for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be ready, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.