MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 32-year old man, Anthony Harrison, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly engaging his neighbour’s 12-year old girl in sex.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Harrison, has been arrested and charged for defilement under the Criminal Laws of the State.
The incident happened at Adeleke Lawal Street, Modina Road, Egan, Igando area of Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, the man lured the victim to his apartment, engaged her into the act and warned her not to tell anyone about it including her parents.
However, the information leaked and the victim’s parents asked her about it. She then revealed what happened and how she was defiled by the suspect by penetration of her private part.
The matter was reported to the Police at Igando Division. The suspect was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, the man reportedly admitted to have done so but with the consent of the victim, who is still a minor under the law of the State.
The Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The charge read:
“That you, Anthony Harrison, sometime in the month of September, 2024 at about unknown time, at Adeleke Lawal Street, Modina Road, Egan Igando Lagos State in the Lagos Magisterial District, did defile the victim, 12years old and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 and punishable under Section 210(8) of the Child’s Right Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
The Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, ordered the man to be remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, 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 was remanded in custody pending when the DPP’s report will be ready, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.