MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 13-year old boy may spend the rest of his life in prison custody for allegedly engaging his neighbour’s 2-year old girl in sex in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the boy (name withheld) was arrested and charged for defilement under the Criminal Laws of the State, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The incident happened on 23rd September, 2024, at Ayodele Amusa Street, Unity Estate, Egbeda area of Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, the boy lured the victim and engaged her in sex before he was caught by neighbours who raised alarm, which attracted the attention of the parents and other neighbours.
The victim’s parents reported the matter to the Police in the area and the boy was arrested and transferred to the Gender Section of the State Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, the boy admitted to have had sex with her because he wanted to have a sex experience and the victim’s parents then insisted that the boy must be prosecuted in the interest of justice.
The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
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.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. E. Kubenije, ordered his remand in the juvenile home and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP for legal advice.
The matter was adjourned till 20th November, 2024, for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.
The charge read: “That you, the defendant on the 23rd day of September 2024, at about 2025hours, at Ayodele Amusa Street, Unity Estate. Egbeda Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did defile the victim by having unlawful carnal knowledge of her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The names of the defendant and victim were withheld because they are still minors in line with the policy of P.M.EXPRESS.