MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 38-year old man, Lawal Olatunde, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly engaging a 17-year old girl in sex, getting her pregnant and then attempting abortion in order to terminate the pregnancy.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened in January, 2025, at Afolabi Lawal Street, Idimangoro, Agege, Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, the suspect lured the victim, engaged her in the act and after several months, she became pregnant..Her parents asked to know who was responsible and she mentioned the name of the suspect.
The matter was reported to the Police in the area; the suspect was arrested and transferred to the Gender Section of the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read::
“That you, Lawal Olatunde ‘M’ sometime in January 2025 at Afolabi Lawal Street, Idimangoro, Agege, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial district, did defile the victim, 17 years old, by forcefully having unlawful carnal knowledge of her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 137 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.”
COUNT II: “That you, Lawal Olatunde ‘M’ sometime in February 2025 at the same place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did indecently treat the victim, 17 years old by impregnating and procuring an abortion for her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 135 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, who did not object his being granted bail, rather asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail in the sum N350,000 with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 21st July, 2025, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.