MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 30-year old man, Ede Uchenna, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly luring his neighbour’s 12-year old girl and engaging her in sex romp.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Uchenna, has been arrested and charged for defilement, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The alleged offence was committed at Shoderu Street, Aboru area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect, who lives at Prince Olaoye Street in same Aboru area, lured the girl and used words of mouth to confuse her and penetrated her private part.
However, the act got exposed and the girl informed her parents that she was lured into the act by Uchenna without her consent, as such she was raped.
The matter was reported to the Police in the area, Uchenna was arrested and transferred to the Gender Section of the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, he told the Police that it was done with the victim’s consent as such it was not a case of rape as claimed by her parents and Police.
The Police found him culpable because the victim is still a minor under the Law and he was consequently charged 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 Lucky Ihiehie, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice because of the nature of the case.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Layinka, ordered his remand in custody 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 while the defendant will remain in custody at correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.