MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 24-year old man, Chinonso Agu, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly luring a 17-year old girl into his apartment and tricking her into having sex by fondling her breasts and getting her confused.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Chinonso, has been arrested and charged for defilement, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The incident happened on 24th April, 2024, at Harmony Estate in Isashi area of Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, the suspect met the girl in transit, they exchanged phone numbers and he eventually invited her to his house.
However, while they were discussing, the suspect started romancing her and she became confused. He then removed her clothes and penetrated her in the process.
The victim later realized that he had deflowered her and claimed that she was lured into the act without her consent.
She went home and informed her parents about what happened and the father reported to the Police at Isashi Division. The suspect was then arrested and transferred to the Gender Section of the State Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, he admitted to have slept with her but with her consent. But the victim insisted that she did not consent to it as he lured her into it by romancing her and she lost control.
The Police found him culpable because the victim is still a minor under the law and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, moved a motion and asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice because of the nature of the alleged offence.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Layinka, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and addresses verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 25th July, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions and the matter will be heard.