Prophet, 62, In Police Net For Defiling Girl, 3

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 62-year old cleric, Prophet Olugbenga Obiyomi, has been arrested for allegedly defiling a 3-year old girl.

P.M. EXPRESS reports that the Prophet, Obiyomi, who resides at  Dayo Adako Close, Idimu, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, was said to have committed the act on January 18, 2020 and he was eventually caught in the act.

According to Women’s Rights And Health Project  (WRAHP), a Non-Governmental Organisation, that worked with the Ikotun Police Station to ensure justice on the matter, the victim went to the compound of the said Prophet to play when he allegedly grabbed, took her inside his apartment and defiled her.
A test conducted on the victim at Mirabel Centre, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, had since confirmed that she was defiled through penetration.
The alleged defilement was reported to the Ikotun Police Division. The Police investigated and found Obiyomi culpable. The Police then arraigned him before the Ogba Magistrates Court on four counts bothering on defilement, assault and sexual abuse of the minor.
One of the counts preferred against Obiyomi read, “That you Olugbenga Obiyomi ‘m’, on January 18, 2020, at Lander Close, Mafon B/Stop, Idimu in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did unlawfully had sexual intercourse with one … ‘f’ aged 3 years old and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) of Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

He was said to have denied but the prosecutor, Christopher John, asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice.
Thus the Presiding Magistrate, Mr. P. E. Nwaka, ordered that he should be remanded in Kirikiri Correctional facility without an option of bail and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send to the DPP for advice.
The matter was adjourned the matter till April 22, 2020, while the defendant will be in prison custody pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice in order to determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not.
WRAHP staff, Precious Eberechukwu, who spoke to newsmen after the Court proceeding, lamented the level of all forms of abuse minors face in Lagos State, especially in the Alimosho area.
She, however, applauded the State Government over the interest and commitment it has continued to show at ensuring justice for abused children and the vulnerable people in the state.