KINGSLEY EBERE
A 24-year old man, Ebuka Ibe, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly sleeping with a 20-year old lady, who claimed that he did it without her consent.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Ibe, has been arrested and charged for statutory rape, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The incident happened at Eyitayo Street, Ajao Estate area of Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, the victim was sleeping in their room with her siblings and locked the door when the suspect allegedly broke into the room and forcefully engaged her in sex. He left eventually having satisfied himself.
The victim later informed her parents about what happened and the matter was reported to the Police at Ajao Estate Division. The suspect was arrested and transferred to the Gender Section of the State Police Command.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted to have done so but with her consent while the victim insisted that he forcefully had his way and that it was not with her consent.
The Police found the suspect culpable based on the evidence and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor, Inspector Atafo Remilekun, asking the Court to refer the case to the DPP for legal advice because of the nature of the matter.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Folashade Hughes, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, 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 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.