MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 50-year old man, Henry Okere, has landed in trouble for allegedly engaging his neighbour’s 12-year old daughter in sex in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Okere, has been arrested and charged for defilement, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The incident happened at Fatai Ade Street, Fola Agoro area of Shomolu, Lagos, where they reside.
The Police alleged that Okere had lured the girl to his apartment, repeatedly penetrated her private part and warned her not to tell anyone about it.
However, the whole thing got exposed on 25th April, 2023, when he lured the girl into his apartment and he was caught. The victim then opened up and revealed that Okere had repeatedly raped her and asked her not to tell anyone.
The matter was reported to the Police at Bariga Division and he was arrested. He was later transferred to the SCID, Yaba, for further investigation. And during interrogation, he reportedly admitted to have done so with the consent of the victim.
The Police found him culpable and subsequently charged him before the Yaba 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 Thomas Nurudeen, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. P.E. Nwaka, ordered Okere’s remand in custody at the Correctional Centre 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.
The matter was adjourned for mention 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.