MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 56-year old man, Wasiu Agbaraojo, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly defiling a 12-year old food hawker and threatening to kill her if she reveals what happened in the neighbourhood.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Imagbon Alade, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, a petition was submitted to the office of the DSVA Agency on behalf of the victim against the suspect, stating that he allegedly lured the victim in the guise that he wanted to buy cooked rice, which she hawks in the area.
The suspect bought rice worth N500 from the girl and instructed her to come and collect her money in his house. And when she got to his apartment, the victim alleged that he pushed her to the bed, removed her pants and had sexual intercourse with her. He then warned her not to reveal it to anybody if she is not ready to die.
However, while the suspect was having sex with her and she was crying, a girl in the neighbourhood saw him, went straight and informed the grandmother at home.
Hence, the matter was reported to the Police. The suspect was arrested and transferred to the Gender Section of the Police Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charge read:
“That you, Wasiu Agbaraojo ‘m’, on the 4th day of February, 2025, at about 1630hours at Imagbon Alade, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did defile the victim 12years old by having sexual intercourse with her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Sections 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, the Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned after the prosecutor, Supol Paul Ugorji, moved a motion asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
Thus, the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.M. Ajayi, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional center 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 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.