MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 13-year old boy may spend the rest of his life following his arraignment before the Court in Lagos State for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 6-year old daughter.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the alleged defilement under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State attracts life imprisonment and if the boy is tried and found guilty, he may likely be jailed for life.
So far, the Court has remanded the boy in Borstal Correctional Centre for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s daughter following his arraignment before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The incident happened at No. 96, Oshodi Road, Oshodi, Lagos, where the boy, who is a student, resides with his parents.
The Prosecution Counsel, Supol Raji Akeem, told the Court that the offence was committed in January 2024 at the defendant ‘s residence after the boy, lured his neighbour’s six-year old girl, to his room when their parents were not around and defiled her.
Supol Akeem told the Court that the alleged offence contravened the provisions of Section 210 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi, refused to take the minor’s plea and ordered him to be remanded in Borstal Corretional centre for legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to be made available.
The matter was adjourned till 17th April, 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.
The names of both the defendant and the victim were withheld because they are still minors in line with the policy of P.M.EXPRESS.