CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 30-year old man, Michael Lucky, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Ikeja, over allegations of abduction and defilement of a minor in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos.
The case was filed by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, following legal advice and approval from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incidents occurred in Ibeju-Lekki, Ajah, within the Lagos Magisterial District. The matter is being handled by the Gender Section of the Lagos State Police Command.
The prosecution alleged in the first count that the defendant abducted a minor, who was reported to have left her place of residence in Abuja, and brought her to Lagos. The offence is contrary to the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
In the second count, the prosecution alleged that on the same date, time and place, the defendant had sexual intercourse with the minor, which resulted into a pregnancy. The offence is also contrary to the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
An affidavit in support of a remand application deposed to by the Investigating Police Officer stated that the case was transferred to the Gender Section from Elemoro Police Division for further investigation.
The IPO stated that the report was made by a resident of Harmony Garden Estate, Awoyaya, who alleged that the minor had been in the area for several months and was being used for hawking. The defendant allegedly claimed to be the guardian of the minor.
The deponent further stated that during investigation, the defendant made a statement to the Police. The IPO asked the court to remand the suspect pending the issuance of legal advice from the DPP and duplication of the case file.
The charges were not read to the defendant following a motion moved by the prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M.O.Tanimola, ordered the defendant to be remanded in Correctional Center 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 for legal advice.
The matter was adjourned for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice over jurisdiction.
Legal procedure requires the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, while the defendant is entitled to fair hearing. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.