The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Defilement

  • Police arrest Jesu Oyingbo’s son for ‘defilement, kidnapping’

    Police arrest Jesu Oyingbo’s son for ‘defilement, kidnapping’

    One of the sons of the late self-proclaimed messiah, Jesu Oyingbo, Adebola Odumosu, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling a teenager.

    Odumosu is being held at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, where he allegedly admitted to having sex his lover’s niece.

    Trouble started for Odumosu last week after he allegedly leaked the information of the crime he committed some years ago to a United Kingdom-based blogger.

    The information was to spite his estranged lover, Folashade Olatunji, a business rival to the woman he leaked the information to.

    A police source said Odumosu allegedly committed the offence at Alakuko, when the victim was 14-year-old.

    Aside defiling her, it was gathered that he procured at least two abortions for the teenager before his lover’s family knew he was having unlawful intercourse with the victim.

    It was gathered that both families resolved to sweep the crime under carpet to save the teenager from stigmatisation, an agreement Odumosu allegedly broke after his relationship with Folashade failed.

    He was said to have resorted to blackmailing Folashade and extorting her. It was gathered that the suspect allegedly held the victim’s 87-year-old grandmother hostage at a flat rented by Folashade in Lagos and threatened to keep her locked up unless certain amount of money was paid.

    The source said: “The suspect is in our custody. He admitted to have had sexual relations with the girl who was a teenager at the time. The matter was reported at Alakuko Police Station but both families resolved to settle it quietly for the sake of the girl.

    “At that time, he was in a relationship with Folashade. They met on Facebook and started dating. He was in India and Folashade in United Kingdom (UK). I think Folashade moved to India and they were planning to get married.

    “Along the line, things did not work out and Folashade returned to the UK. They were planning to have introduction when disagreements started and they went their separate ways.

    “What angered Folashade’s family was that the suspect went ahead to leak information about the rape to a UK-based online medium. The owner of the medium is a rival to Folashade and she ran the story. The whole thing they were covering up became public and that was how Folashade wrote a petition to the Police Command and the suspect tracked.

    “He admitted that he had sex on several occasions with the teenager and that it was not rape because they both agreed to it. He forgot that sex with teenager was a crime under the law. He also admitted that the teenager had abortions for him. He denied leaking the information to the online medium but we have evidence that he was the one who did it.”

    Police spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) said the suspect would be charged to court.

  • Thoughts on rape, defilement

    Thoughts on rape, defilement

    A paper delivered by Mrs Vera Chinwuba, a lawyer, at a symposium on the Rape Menace: ending the silence on rape organised by the Action Group on Adolescent Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    •Continued from last week

    Generally, many forensic evidence are often considered scientific evidence like DNA matching, finger print identification and hair/fiber evidence. The human body that has been violated and raped is also a crime scene. Does Nigeria apply forensic evidence in rape cases in Nigeria? Do we have skilled personnel equipped to handle forensic investigation in the Nigerian police for purposes of handling rape cases? Do we have specialised medical practitioners on forensic examination, even if the answer is in the affirmative why is forensic examination not applied in investigation of rape cases in Nigeria? For instance, equipment like forensic camera that can be used to record incident of rape that took place a month after because with that you will still be able to get the marks. The police do not apply forensic knowledge in prosecution of rape cases. Biological evidence such as semen, blood, virginal secretion, saliva and virginal epithelial cells collected with a kit are used in other jurisdictions in rape and sexual abuse trials. All these are lacking in Nigeria Police prosecution of rape cases.

    Many scientists are currently working on using functional magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI for rape prosecution. It is a new type of lie detection machine. It works by imaging in real time, the flow of blood around the brain). For the medical examiner adequate care must be taken during examination of rape victim. They must be trained to identify genital injury resulting from sexual assault, the prevalence and location genital injury provides only a partial description of the nature of trauma associated with sexual assault. Anogentilal injury location can be classified as external (Labia majora, labia minora, pericurethral area perineum and posterior fourchelle), internal fossa navicularis, hymen, virgina, cervix and anal (anus and rectum).

    There is need for judges and juries to be conversant with these issues. Nigeria needs to move with the rest of the world.

    Prevention of rape 

    There are certain precautionary measures to be taken to protect yourself from being a victim of rape.  Note that rape may still occur, but you can proactively protect yourself against a penitential assault.

    (a)  Bad touch:  Children must be taught at a very tender age what I personally termed ‘’bad touch’’. As growing children, they must be made to understand that their breast area and wee-wee bombom are special to them and therefore no one should touch them there.  If anyone does that call for help. This way the children will easily understand that no one has the right to fiddle with these areas.

    (b)  Self-consciousness by listening to your intuition.  Be aware of your environment, don’t walk alone but in company of trusted friends, avoid isolated public places eg. In campuses, churches especially during night vigil and surrounding areas. Don’t go out alone or with a person you do not know.  The person could lure you to den of rapists.  Don’t use headphones when walking alone.  Always ensure that your phone is fully charged.  Don’t keep late nights.

    (c)  Social gathering: Don’t leave your drink unattended to if you are at a club.  A potential rapist could slip a date rape drug into your drink.  If you must leave it get a new drink when you come back.

    (d) Social media:  Rapists use social media platforms a lot to locate and monitor their victims.  Don’t wear revealing clothes.  Dress appropriately and decently at all times.

    Challenges

    The attitude of the victims and their families pose great challenge to prosecution of rape cases.  Some of them hold back information and do not cooperate with security agencies in prosecution of these cases.  The assault leaves long emotional effects, sexually transmitted diseases and wounds.  Some victims have committed suicide because of rape.   Families are threatened by some individuals and groups over persecution.  Slow pace of investigation and justice dispensation coupled with police extortion from the victims are some of the many challenges in persecution of rape cases.

    Suggestons

    There is need for paradigm shift in the entire legal system for persecution of rape cases.  A dedicated legal frame work for victims of rape to get justice should be instituted immediately.

    The culture of silence caused by fear of stigmatization, and family members and relations who discourage victims from speaking up should be repudiated. By speaking up rapists would be brought to justice and that would serve as deterrent to others.

    The police as a matter of urgent concern should introduce forensic evidence in prosecution of rape cases.  The police personnel should be trained and equipped to carry out forensic examination at the scene such that blood sample, semen, saliva  can be collected as done in other jurisdictions.  The various police commands should establish rape desks dedicated to carrying out investigation of cases.

    Medical Doctors/practitioners should be trained on how to examine victims.  This is particularly very important because the prosecution relies partly on medical report to prove the offence of rape during trial.  Shoddy medical report is usually a problem during persecution.

    Emphasis should be placed on rape prevention in schools, communities, neighbourhood.  While a national prevention programme at the local and national levels should be encouraged.

    The Directorate of Public Prosecution should expedite action on issuing legal advice to forestall delay in trial.

    Victims complained police extortion.  eg. Transport fare.  The Police should be equipped with necessary infrastructure to discharge its duties efficiently.

    Stakeholders should organise enlightenment programmes at community where everybody should made to understand that we do not want rapists in our community.

    Trauma and counselling centres should be established where victims can go and regain confidence.

    Finally, the office of the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, and commissioners of Justice should monitor prosecution of rape cases or even take over prosecution.

    In conclusion, l have critical examined the legal implication of offence of rape in Nigeria with emphasis on the legal provisions, the procedure for victims justice.  I also looked at the challenges in prosecution due to lack of application leading to low rate of conviction compared increasing cases of rape in Nigeria.  Rape as a criminal offence and social menace should be accorded priority attention by ensuring that rapists are brought to justice expeditiously.  Nigerians should be breaking news grounds in forensic knowledge in cases of rape in Nigeria.

    • Concluded

  • Thoughts on rape, defilement

    Thoughts on rape, defilement

    Text of a paper delivered by Vera Chinwuba at a symposium on The Rape Menace; Ending the silence on rape organised by the Action Group on Adolescent Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.

    There is no universally accepted definition of rape. Definitions of rape vary in different jurisdictions and legal systems. Rape is simply non-consensual sexual intercourse.  When a man has sex with a woman without her consent.  I have looked at some definitions internationally and locally.

    The Roman statute of the international Criminal Court is the most advanced.

    ‘’Perpetrator invaded the body of a person by conduct resulting in penetration, however slight, of any part of the body of the victim or of the perpetrator with a sexual organ or of the anal or genital opening of the victim with any object or any other part of the body.’’

    The invasion was committed by the force, or by threat of force or coercion, such as that caused by fear of violence duress, detention, psychological oppression or abuse of power against such person, or by taking advantage of a coercive environment, or the invasion was committed against a person incapable of giving genuine consent.

    Rape is the unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman by a man forcibly and against her will. It is sexual intercourse accomplished by force and against the will of the woman. More particularly, rape is the act of having carnal knowledge of a woman by a forcibly and against her will or without her conscious permission or where permission has been attained by means of force or fear of immediate bodily harm. Rape can be committed by both force and threat.

    The Black’s Law Dictionary defines ‘’Rape as unlawful sexual activities especially intercourse with a person usually a female without consent and by force or threat of injury’’.

    The criminal code defines the offence of Rape in a similar manner.

    ‘’Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl without her consent or with her consent, if the consent is obtained by force or by means of threat or, intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm, or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to be nature of the act, or in the case of a married woman, by impersonating her husband, is guilty of an offence which is called rape.

    Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State also has its definition of rape.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines ‘’Rape as physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration even if slight of the vulva or anus using penis or other body parts or object.’’

    In 2012 Annual Uniform Crime Report of the Federal Bureau of Investigation defines rape as carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will to …’’

    The above are diverse definitions of rape as a global crime. Therefore is not a local crime and it is not peculiar to Nigeria.

     Defilement

    It is important to note the distinction between rape and defilement.

    Means having any sexual intercourse with a child under the age of thirteen years. It is a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences Acts and Child Rights Act.

    The criminal code stipulates that ‘’Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under13  is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for life, with or without whipping. Any person who attempts to have unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 13 years is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years, with or without whipping. A prosecution for either of these offences must begin within two months after the offence is committed. A person cannot be convicted of either of the offences upon uncorroborated testimony of a witness.

    Defilement simply means to violate someone’s chastity. The offence of defilement involved a girl under 13 while rape affects a female at or above 13. It is a well laid down position of the law that a child below 13 cannot be raped. However, the age bracket differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  It’s important to know that rape can only occur when the virginal of the woman is penetrated.  This does not mean that anal or unlawful sexual intercourse is allowed. This is a crime and covered under different descriptions in each legislation.  However, it is not a mandatory sentence in all of them. Sexual assault is similar to rape but it is not.  Any sexual assault is any form of sexual contact or behaviour that occurs without the explicitly consent of the recipient.

    Below are some of the legislations:

    Criminal Code   –  Applicable in all Sourthern States

    Penal   Code  –   Applicable only in Northern states.

    Criminal Law of Lagos State –      Applicable only in Lagos State.

    The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act  –   Applicable only in FCT Abuja.

    Sexual Offences Act   –   The Child’s Rights Act

    Rape and child defilement are gender based violence (GBV) against women according to Beijin Declaration and platform for action. It is a global crime that leaves deep scars. It has caused emotional pains and exposes many to avoidable sexually transmitted diseases and some victims have killed themselves.

     Types of rape

    There are several other forms of rape (a)    War rape – sexual slavery (b)    Spousal rape (c)     Date rape (d)    Date rape drug (e)    Male – male (sodomy) (f)  Female – female (lesbian) rape – This is the most common and least reported especially in prisons. There are indications that these types of rape are substantially more common in real sense. Other forms of carnal knowledge are deemed unlawful in the eyes of the law.

    Attempted rape

    Any person who attempts to commit the offence of rape is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years without canning.

    Rape is distinct from attempted rape or assault with intent to rape. Any attempt to rape must be accompany the means to effect the crime. It therefore requires no corroboration. The evidence of the female victim is enough to sustain the conviction of the perpetrator.

    What constitutes rape?

    Deriving from the definition above, rape is unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman without her consent, by force, intimidation, threat, coercism etc. The essence of crime of rape is not the fact of intercourse, but the injury and the outrage to the modesty and feeling of the woman by means of carnal knowledge feloniously and forcibly infested.

    Elements of rape/ingredents of rape

    1. Penetration – carnal knowledge b.  Emission of semen c. Physical force d. Constructive forcee. Resistance f. Lack of consent  g.  Capacity to consent h. Consent  induced by fear

     Penetration

    To complete the crime of rape, penetration must occur. Emission of semen without penetration is insufficient. However what degree of penetration is required? It has been held in several case laws that a degree of penetration so slight and light that did not cause laceration or injury of the hymen would be sufficient in law for the offence of rape to be completed.  Even if the victim is Virgo Intacta (Virgin) or yet to be disvirgined. The court from surrounding circumstantial satisfies it will convict such accused person.  The offence is committed if the penis enters the labia of the female organ. It is not necessary for the hymen to raptured. Although sometimes ago, this was considered a sine qua non of the crime. It is also not necessary that there was a laceration of the Virginia. Some evidence is necessary to sustain a conviction. Where the prosecutrix and tending physician testify that there has been no penetration, a conviction cannot be sustained. The carnal knowledge to constitute rape must be ‘’res in re’’ but to no particular depth and the hymen need not be raptured nor body torn.

    1. b)    Emission of semen

    The reason that proof of penetration even without emission is deemed to be sufficient is that the essence of crime of rape is the injury to the person and the outrage to the feeling of prosecutrix.

    1. c)     Physical force

    Force, actual or constructive is an essential element of rape but no particular amount of force is necessary to constitute the crime but it is essential that actual force be used to overcome the will of the woman. Force could be by threat or serious body harm which over power the female and cause her to resistance to yield.

    1. d)    Constructive Force

    It implies force or violence threatened as a result of noncompliance and for the purpose of preventing resistance.

    1. e)    Resistance

    Resistance establishes two elements of the crime, force and non-consent. These are essential in every case in which the complainant has her mental and physical capacities intact.

    1. f)      Lack of consent

    The offence of rape, the sexual act must be committed against the will of the woman otherwise it will not be considered rape. Consent given at any time prior to the penetration deprives the subsequent intercourse of its criminal character regardless of how reluctant it was given.

    1. g)     Capacity to consent

    Where a woman is in a state of consciousness unlawful and forcible connection with her at the time is presumed to be without her consent and it is rape. As a general rule where a man has intercourse with an idiotic or insane woman without resistance or with her consent it is considered rape. If a man has connection with a woman while asleep, intoxicated or unconscious because of drugs. He is guilty of rape.

    1. h)  Consent induced by fear or fraud consent obtained out of fear of personal violence is void.
    2. i)       Age limit/capacity to commit offence of rape

    The criminal code stipulates that a male person under the age of 12 is presumed incapable of having carnal knowledge. It follow that a person cannot be guilty of offence of rape or attempted rape, although if charged he may be convicted of indecent assault.

    Burden of proof

    Rape is a criminal offence and must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

    He who asserts proves. The prosecution’s burden of proving the essential elements of the case of rape is beyond reasonable doubt. Where there is an iota of doubt it is settled in favour of defendant / suspect.

    The law looks at whether penetration was with consent and this is sometimes hard to prove. This also informed the reason why conviction in rape cases is very low. Generally, it is believed that when someone is raped the hymen is broken but it is not true. You can have intercourse with a man for many years and still your hymen is still intact. So medical practitioners must know that it is not the broken hymen that determines rape. So please don’t look at broken hymen when working with rape victims. Some medical practitioners believe once the hymen was not broken rape has not occurred. Cases are daily thrown mainly due to lack diligent prosecution of poor police investigation and inefficiency in documentation of evidence and prosecution. The fact that there is no physical injury does not mean there was no rape.

    Steps to be taken before, during and after

    Take note of the environment where you are. Observe the person perpetrating the act on you for purposes of identification. E.g complexion, height, accent, time of the day, tribal marks (if any), colour of shirt, trousers etc. Note: If he is the only one or in a gang. You must be able to identify the rapist for purposes of prosecution.

     During

    To avoid doubt, call for help, shout, scream to attract attention, show resistance if you can.  If he attacks you scratch him with your finger, make up excuse e.g period is on, or you have HIV or any other sexually transmitted disease.  Look out for escape route, do anything to let you go even if for a second. Devise a special code word you can call with a family member or friend when in danger. Tell him you do not want to engage in sex with him. Did you bleed or sustain physical injury or even if your dress was torn? Inform your parents, guardian, and brother or an elder after the incident. (However depending on the age). You will be asked in court: what did you while you are being raped?

    In case of defilement of underage child, this may not apply because the child is incapable of consenting to rape. The victim could also be injected with drugs to prevent resistance. (Date rape drug)

     After

    After the incident report to the Police immediately before even cleaning up or taking a bath so as not to destroy the evidence. The police will send you to a general hospital (not private) for medical examination in company of an officer.

    Keep a copy of the medical report. After investigation, the matter will be charged to court for prosecution. You can also involve NGO like the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) of which I am a member. Get a counsel to represent you in court. You can also seek assistance from Mirabel Centre at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, the centre offers help to rape victims or sexual assault survivors. All services apart from being provided in a compassionate caring manner are free.

    The above will assist greatly in prosecution of the case.

    Factors that instigate rape

    A number of reasons have been adduced for increasing sexual violence against Women in Nigeria. Its prevalence is quite disturbing. The World Health organisation states that factors include belief in family honour and sexual primary ideologies of male sexual entitlement and weak legal sanctions for sexual violence. Experts say there is no single scientific motivation for rape. While desire for power, anger sadism sexual gratification and mental depravity have considered as factors.

    Others include poverty provocative dressing among women. Excessive sexual orgies, pornography, alcohol abuse, being female, a sex worker having previously been raped or abused, physical attraction etc. The list is endless.

    Society’s perception of rape

    Rape is a global crime and crime against humanity. Apart from the fact that the offence devalues the human person with emotional scars and pains. In some societies the victims is blamed and sometimes castigated.

    In Nigeria, most victims will elect to remain silent leading to under reporting of the crime because of stigmatisation. Some have also killed themselves due to pain and stigmatisation associated with it. This informs the reason why it is the most under reported crime.

    Most petrifying is that most of the rape victims have been killed by the rapist after assaulting them.

    Rate of reporting, prosecution and conviction varies considerably in different jurisdiction. Collectively we can brace up against this evil by taking proactive steps and taking the ball by the horn to eliminate the menace from Nigeria rape must be reported no matter slight or insignificant the attempt to rape may be.

    Victims should not hide under stigmatisation to prevent the perpetrator from being brought to justice. The cases of Cythnia Osokogwu, and five-under graduates of Abia state University who raped a young woman despite pleading with them to spare her are cases in point. The video of that incident shook the nation. Investigation was launched nothing has come out up till today and are among the many instances.

    In India New Delhi, the case of 23-year-old Physiotherapist, who was beaten and gang raped and eventually died 13 days after attracted national and international condemnation. We all need to rise up and root out rape. Everyone has a role to play in the eradication of this menace from homes to religious gatherings, schools etc.

     Application of forensic science

    Forensic evidence plays a critical role in prosecution of perpetrators of rape. What is prosecution of offence of rape without forensic knowledge?

    In other jurisdictions adults raped in their teens have been able to get justice after several decades. Their abusers are made to face trial years after the act was committed. Forensic examination following rape has two primary functions:

     

    • To be continued

  • Activists decry incessant child defilement

    Human rights groups in Edo State yesterday decried increasing cases of child defilement in Benin and the country.

    They are: Federation of Female Lawyers, Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOs), Girls Power Initiative (GPI), Society to Heighten Awareness of Women and Children Abuse (SOTHAWACA) and Brave Heart Initiative (BHI).

    The group spoke during a peaceful march in major streets in Benin.

    They urged efforts against rape, child defilement and other crimes against minors.

    “We condemn in strong terms sexual violence against females, particularly minors in Edo,’’ they said in one of their placards.

    Ms Priscilla Usobifo, executive director, BHI, said between January and June, BHI recorded 15 cases of sexual violence against women in Akoko-Edo Local Government alone.

    Usobifo, who led the groups, urged well-meaning Nigerians to support the victims, saying some of the cases were disturbing.

    “We are here with one purpose because we are concerned about the prevalence of sexual violence.

    “We have recorded 21 cases, out of these, 15 of them are sexual defilement and I mean minors under the ages of two, three, eight and 14.

    “About five cases were serially raped, which means it was not the first time.

    “Of these cases reported, seven of them were reported to the police and they are going through prosecution, while three of them have been successfully convicted.

    “We are worried that these issues have continued to thrive unabated and we are also concerned with the impunity exhibited by these rapists, defilers, especially at the community level.

    “If we have this number in Akoko-Edo Local Government alone, multiply it by the 18 councils and imagine the cases unreported,” she said.

    Usobifo advised the government to implement the Child Rights Act.

    She advocated the domestication of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) and the decentralisation of the family units of the police to cover the three senatorial districts.

    “This will reduce the burden of logistics in cases transfer.”

     

  • Police arrest Septuagenarian for defiling six years old girl

    Police arrest Septuagenarian for defiling six years old girl

     

    A 72 years old man, Isiaka Obadairo, has been arrested by the Police in Ogun State for defiling six years old girl.

    The Septuagenarian who lived in the same vicinity with the parents of the girl at Ijamodo Estate, Ota, was said to have lured the victim to his room and raped her.

    The arrest of Obadairo followed a complaint by the girl’s mother, Mrs Comfort Ajayi, who informed the Sango Divisional Police Headquarters about the incident.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement stated that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ogunwale Akinsola, dispatched a team of detective to the area as soon as they got the report and arrested the culprit.

    He noted that the victim has been taken to hospital for treatment while the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has directed the transfer of the suspect to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation and possible prosecution.

  • Two arrested for defiling under aged girls in Aba

    Two arrested for defiling under aged girls in Aba

    …As police smash car robbery syndicates

     

    Two persons identified as Chibueze Agunwa and Ugochukwu Oleka has been arrested by the Aba personnel of Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Aba Central Police Station (CPS) for defiling two under aged girls.

    Agunwa, a resident of Osunkwo Triangle road, Aba was said to have forcefully raped a 5year-old girl on April 22, he was arrested on May 8 when police arrested him through a tip off.

    Report has it that Oleka of Iroanusi road was arrested after the family of the 13year-old victim reported to the police that their daughter was raped in their house by him (Oleka).

    According to police, pregnancy test carried on the victim shows that she is two months pregnant.

    The suspects, The Nation learnt would soon be arraigned before the court as soon as possible.

    In another development, the police in Aba have smashed a gang of robbers that specialized in snatching exotic cars.

    It was gathered that a Toyota Highlander with registration number Abia SSM 631 TP and a Lexus RX300 SUV with registration number Abuja ABC 472 LK were also recovered from the gang’s hideout while the gang members were being trailed by the police.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna told our reporter that the police have launched manhunt on the fleeing gang and urged members of the public to provide the police with useful information on the activities of hoodlums in their area.

    Ogbonna added that the police in the state were committed in riding criminal out of the state and warned those who are thinking of going into crime to have a rethink and look for a legitimate work to do, stressing that the police would not fold their arms to watch unscrupulous elements come to disrupt the peace the state is experiencing at the moment.

  • Court remands 35-year-old teacher for alleged rape of pupil

    A Gudu Upper Area Court in FCT on Wednesday remanded a 35-year-old teacher, Modibo Akin, in prison for alleged of pupil in toilet.

    The Upper Area Court judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, remanded the defendant till March 6 pending conclusion of investigations and consideration of bail.

    Akin of Destiny Light International School, Jikwoyi in FCT is facing a one-count charge of rape, which he pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Daniel Chuks, told the court that Roseline Ubeka of Jikwoyi phase I reported the matter at Jikwoyi Police Station on Jan 28.

    Chuks said that the defendant was a teacher and also a home lesson teacher for the complainant’s daughter.

    He alleged that on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27, the defendant “inserted his penis’’ into the eight-year -old girl’s private part.

    The prosecutor said that on these dates, the defendant “had unlawful carnal knowledge of her at the school toilet and also had sex with her in the sitting room during lessons.’’

    Chuks said that “his sperm was found spilled on a rag and he threatened her with death if she told anybody.’’

    He also said that during police investigations, “the sperm smeared rag was recovered from her parent’s sitting room.

    He said the offence contravened Section 283 of the Penal Code.

  • Motorcyclist docked for allegedly defiling neighbour’s minor.

    Motorcyclist docked for allegedly defiling neighbour’s minor.

    Pius Okoliko, was on Wednesday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s under aged daughter.

    The accused, a commercial motorcyclist, who resides at Eyinogun Str., Mafoluku, Oshodi, suburb of Lagos, is facing a charge of defilement.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offence was committed in December 2016 at the residence of the accused.

    Ogu alleged that the accused lured the victim, a 10-year-old girl, into his room on the pretext of sending her to buy recharge card for him.
    “On entering the room, the accused shut the door at her and defiled the girl,’’ Ogu said.
    “It was the victim’s cry that alerted neighbours that rescued her.

    “The accused was sighted by one of the neighbours who alerted the police and got him arrested,’’ the prosecutor said.

    The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the accused N200, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Akanni adjourned the case to March 8 for mention.

  • Lagos handles 4,035 rape, child abuse cases in one year

    Lagos handles 4,035 rape, child abuse cases in one year

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said in the last one year it handled a total of 4, 035 cases ranging from rape, child abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse, defilement, divorce, matrimonial issues and child’s custody and maintenance, just as it vowed not to shy away from prosecuting perpetrators of domestic violence crime no matter how highly placed in the society.

    The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, who disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa on the activities of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in the last one year, said government, through the agency, equally handled a total of 192 cases.

    Out of the 192 cases, Kazeem said the government handled 89 domestic violence cases, 62 defilement cases, 18 rape cases, 6 attempted rape, 10 child neglect and 7 child abuse cases, while 92 cases are presently being heard in court.

    Kazeem said that the State Government under the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has a zero tolerance for issues relating to domestic violence and child abuse and would not relent until the scourge is reduced to the barest minimum.

    He said agencies of government, including DSVRT, Office of Public Defender (OPD) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), among others, have been mandated to ensure that while perpetrators of the act are brought to justice, victims of domestic violence are given succor towards their rehabilitation.

    “As regards provision of shelter for victims, the Ministries of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Youth and Social Development as well as strategic partners NGOs have played key roles in ensuring that victims were evacuated to a safer environment of shelter homes.

    “All the victims of sexual assault received medical attention from Mirabel Centre and State Hospitals, and so far, 50 of such cases were charged to court,” he said.

    He said the essence of the press briefing today aside giving account of efforts of the State Government in the one year, it was also a means to send a strong message across that the government would not relent until the scourge is completely stamped out.

    “As we all know the issues of gender violence, violence against children and all forms of inhuman treatment against the less privileged has been a very critical issue for Governor Ambode. Right from when he was sworn in, he had said that this issue was going to be something he would pursue with passion and diligence. He has since then given support to the DSVRT, OPD and all other related agencies including the Police Force to fight this scourge in other that it should be eliminated.

    “Let me sound a note of warning here that no matter how highly placed you are in the society, if you commit any domestic violence crime, Lagos State will go after you and prosecute you in court,” the Attorney General said.

    He assured that the State Government would continue to build on its recent efforts and step up its campaign efforts to put the issue of domestic violence on the front burner.

    To this end, he said the DSVRT would on Friday, June 3, hold a free clinic for victims of domestic violence, rape at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, while they can seek counselling with trained professionals via their hotline on 08137960048.

     

     

  • Man defiles 10 year-old boy in Ebonyi

    Man defiles 10 year-old boy in Ebonyi

    A 35 year old man, Stephen Ude of Amuzu community, Amasiri Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi state have been arrested for allegedly defiling a ten year old boy, Victor Agha.

    The victim who hails from Amuzu Ezeke in the area had followed the suspect to the farm where the man proceeded to defile him.

    A source from the boy’s family said when he returned from the farm in the evening, Agha looked very weak and sick prompting the father to ask what happened to him and he told the father that Stephen Ude had sex with him through the anus.

    ‘’The father of the boy, Pius Agha Idam immediately rushed him to the hospital and reported the matter to the police,’’ the source said.

    Police spokesman, ASP George Okafor confirmed the incident adding that the suspect has been arrested.

    He warned that the command cannot tolerate any homosexual act in the state and advised parents to be mindful of those they allow their children to mingle with.

    ‘’By the time we conclude with the necessary investigation, get the medical report together as well as other necessary facts, we will send the suspect to court and ensure that the law takes it course,’’ he said.