Man, 43, Arrested For Defiling Girl, 7

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 43-year old man, Israel Bassey Philip, is now paying for the offence he committed three years after he allegedly sexually molested a 7-year old girl.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened in 2016 at Ayomide Street, Ojota area of Lagos, where they reside.

It was gathered that the man, Philip, reportedly lured the victim into his apartment when her parents were not at home and defiled her. He then warned her not to tell anyone with the threat that she will die if she revealed it.
The incident was said to have traumatized the victim and she kept it all along to herself in bitterness.
However, sometime this year, when she could not withhold the agony, she opened up and revealed what she had been passing through over the years to her friends and parents.
The matter was reported to the Gender Section of the Police Command. Philip was then arrested and detained by the Police for interrogation.
After interrogation, the Police found Philip culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrates Court for defilement which attracts several years of imprisonment including life imprisonment if he is tried and found guilty before the Court.
However, the prosecutor, Mr. Christopher John, asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice because of nature of the offence involving a minor.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. P.E Nwaka, ordered the remand of the defendant in prison custody without an option of bail.
The Court also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send to the DPP for advice.
The man may be transferred to the High Court if the DPP’s report finds him culpable and recommends that he should be tried for the alleged offence.
The matter was adjourned till 11th November, 2019, for report of the DPP to be ready while Philip will remain in custody till then.