MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 56-year old trader, Ahmed Adeyemi, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 8-year old daughter and thereafter giving her N100.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Surulere area of Lagos, where they reside.
He has been charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for defilement and he risks several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment if he is found guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Raji Akeem, informed the Court that the offence was committed in December 2023 at Adeyemi’s residence on the same street with the victim’s parents.
The prosecutor alleged that the suspect lured the girl into his house, defiled her, and gave her N100 while warning her not to tell anyone. However, the victim revealed what happened and he was arrested and subsequently charged before the Court for the alleged offence, which contravened the provisions of Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor, Supol Raji, asking the Court to give a date and refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The Presiding Chief Magistrate, B.O. Osunsanmi, ordered his remand in custody and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP for advice.
The matter was adjourned till 24th April, 2024, for the 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.