MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 35-year old man, Godwin Peter Femi, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly fondling the breasts of his neighbour’s 16-year old daughter and penetrating her private part in the process.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Ayebagbemi Adebayo, Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos, where they reside.
The Police alleged that the suspect lured the victim into his apartment, held her with words of mouth, then fondled her breasts and she became confuse and was unable to resist him.
He later allowed her to go having satisfied himself. But by then, the victim had realized her senses and reported what happened to her parents.
The matter was reported to the Police in the area and the suspect was arrested and transferred to the Gender Section of the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted to have slept with the victim but with her consent and as such he did not rape her as claimed by the victim.
However, the Police found him culpable for the alleged offence because the victim is still a minor under the law. He was subsequently 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, Supol Akeem Raji, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice because of the nature of the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending the outcome of the DPP’ legal advice and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP.
The matter was adjourned till 7th November, 2024, for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.