KINGSLEY EBERE
A 41-year old man, Patrick Onyegbule, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly defiling his three-year old biological daughter, who was abandoned by his wife.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened between August 2024 and November, 2024 at Sharpview Plaza, Alaba International Market in Ojo, Lagos after his wife had abandoned the little girl.
According to the Police, the mother of the victim abandoned her and went away for the several months. She later came back and discovered that the victim has been defiled by penetration.
The matter was reported to the Police in the area. The man was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over the alleged offence.
After rounds of interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Badagry Chief Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
However, pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Inspector Ayodele Adeosun, told the Court that the defendant committed the offence between August 2024 and November, at Sharpview Plaza, Alaba International Market in Ojo, Lagos by having carnal knowledge of his toddler, left under his care.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendant sexually assaulted the infant.
“The defendant had issues with his wife, which made the wife to pack out of her matrimonial home leaving her daughter behind.”
“It was during her visit that she discovered that her daughter had been defiled,” he said.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Code, Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must reside within the Court’s jurisdiction and must also be gainfully employed.
The matter was adjourned till 5th March, 2025, for trial while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.