MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 50-year old Cleric, Pastor Lawrence Omoniyi, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly engaging his neighbour’s 15-year old girl in sex for the past two years before he was eventually exposed by the victim.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Pastor Omoniyi has been arrested for the alleged defilement of the girl.
Pastor Omoniyi, who resides at No. 4, Orisunbare Street, off Tapa Road, Isawo Ikorodu, Lagos, allegedly defiled the girl, who he lives in the compound with when she was 13 years between 2020 and December 2022 when she was 15 years at his apartment.
When the girl could no longer bear the trauma, she opened up and confided in her sister. The matter was reported to the Police and the Pastor was arrested and detained for interrogation over his conduct which contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
He was subsequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment if he is found guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, told the Court that the girl confided in one of her sisters that the defendant had sexually assaulted her in the last two years and threatened to kill the girl if she tells anyone.
The Court did not take his plea following a motion moved by the prosecutor asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Bola 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 till 18th April, 2023, for the DPP’s report to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.