MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 26-year- old man, Owolabi Olabisi, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly engaging his neighbour’s 8-year old daughter by penetrating her private part with his fingers.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Olabisi, has been arrested.
The incident happened on 18th January, 2023, at Ojuelegba area of Surulere, where they reside and while the matter was reported to the Family Support Unit, Surulere Police Division.
According to the Police, the victim was playing with her mates in the compound when the suspect lured her into his room and forcefully inserted his fingers into her private parts.
Having satisfied himself, he released the girl but threatened to deal with her if she told her mother. However, when the girl could no longer bear the pain from her private parts, she eventually reported to her mother.
The matter was reported to the Police, which led to his arrest for interrogation over his conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and then charged him before an Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court on Friday for defilement.
When he was arraigned, the Court did not take his plea following a motion moved by the prosecutor asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice.
Hence the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. M Ajayi, ordered that he should be remanded in a correctional facility pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and as well directed the prosecutor to send the case file to the state Director of Pubic Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
The matter was adjourned till 22nd February, 2023, for the report of DPP’s advice to be ready, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.
The defendant risks several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, but that will be if the DPP’s report finds him culpable for the alleged offence.