Man Docked For Giving Out Daughter, 16, To Alleged Rapist For Marriage

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 16-year old girl was reportedly traumatized and enslaved in Lagos after she was raped and her 51-year old father gave her out in marriage to a 48-year old man, who allegedly raped her.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Musibau Ashafa Street off Egbe Road, Abule Egba, Lagos, where they reside.

The father, Henry Onyekwere, was arrested over charges of child marriage while Awale Odigo, who got married to her was also charged for defilement. 

According to Police sources, Awale Odigo lured the girl and engaged her in sex severally before he arranged with her father to get married to her against her wish.
However, when the act was revealed, the matter was reported to the Police at Gender Section of the Command, both the father and her supposed husband were arrested and detained at the Command for interrogation.

After investigation, the Police found them culpable and subsequently charged them before the Ogba Magistrates Court for the alleged offence.
The Court did not take their plea after the prosecutor, Supol Ajayi Kehinde, asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.O.Ajibade, ordered their remand in Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos pending the outcome of the DPP’s report.
The Court also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send to the DPP while the matter was adjourned till 3rd September, 2021 for the DPP’s report to be available.

However, the matter may likely be transferred to the High Court once the DPP finds them culpable and recommends for their trial for the alleged offence over jurisdiction.