MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 44-year old man, Ojo Adegbeyili, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly dragging a 13-year old girl from the street and forcefully engaging her in sex.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Adegbeyili, has been arrested and charged for defilement under the Criminal Laws of the State.
The incident happened on 18th November, 2024, at Sawiyyat Street, Ajegunle in Alakuko area of Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, the suspect conducted himself in a manner that will bring breach of public peace by allegedly dragging the victim to forcefully engage her in sex without her consent.
He had earlier defiled her and wanted to do so the second time by dragging her, which drew the attention of the public and the matter was reported to the Police at Alakuko Division.
He was then arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over the alleged offence. After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and then charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT 1: “That you, Ojo Adegbeyili ‘M’ on the 8th day of November 2024 at about 1130hrs on Sawiyyat Street, Ajegunle Alakuko, Lagos in the Ikeja Magisterial district, did defile the victim “F” age 13 years by unlawfully having sexual intercourse with her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 60 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Ojo Adegbeyili on the 4th of December 2024 at about 1900hrs at Sawiyyat Street, Ajegunle Alakuko, Lagos in the Ikeja Magisterial district, did conducted yourself in a manner to course breach of peace by dragging the victim in a public place and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168(d) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, the Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor, Inspector John Iberedem, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice because of the nature of the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, L.A. Owolabi, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP for legal advice.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.