MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 53-year old man, Arinzechukwu Elochukwu, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly engaging his neighbour’s 10-year old girl in sex.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 22nd August, 2023, at Jimoh Street, Agboju area of Lagos, where they reside.
The Police alleged the suspect lured the girl between 12pm to 2pm on the fateful day to an apartment, engaged her in the act and having satisfied himself, he alleged her to go.
However, information leaked and the girl’s parents were told what happened and they confronted the girl. She then revealed how she was raped by the suspect, Elochukwu.
The matter was reported to the Police in the area and the suspect was arrested. He was later transferred to the Gender Section of the Police Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to have slept with the girl but with her consent, which the victim denied and claimed that she was lured into the act.
The Police found him culpable because the victim is still a minor and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence under Section 137 of the criminal code.
The Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, ordered his remand in custody 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 while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when the DPP’s report will be ready, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.