Lagos State government, yesterday, arraigned a 17-year-old boy before Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, sitting in Ikeja, for allegedly abducting and defiling a 15-year-old girl.
The suspect was arraigned before Justice Abiola Sholadoye on a three-count charge bordering on abduction from custody of parents and incapacitating to commit felony.
The prosecuting counsel, Ms. Abimbola Abolade, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence between July 11 and 15, 2022 at No.41 Olajumoke Street, Ikotun area of Lagos State.
Abolade told the court that the defendant, with intent to have sexual intercourse, detained the alleged survivor in his house against her wish.
The prosecution said that the defendant gave a liquid substance to the girl to incapacitate her.
His offence according to the prosecution contravened the provisions of sections 137, 239 and 269 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
He pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge.
Following his plea, the judge ordered that the case file be returned to the registry to be re-assigned to a family court after the defendant told the court that he was 17 years old.
Justice Soladoye also ordered that the boy be returned to a Foster Home in Adigbe, Ogun State and subsequently adjourned to October 18, 2023 for further report.
MEANWHILE, Justice Soladoye has ordered the remand of a visually impaired man, Francis Ugachukwu, in Correctional Centre, for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl.
The judge remanded the defendant, pending the trial and filing of his bail application, after he was arraigned on a count-charge of defilement.
The state government alleged that the defendant committed the offence sometime in November 2022 at No 16 Kareem Giwa Street Abule-Osun in Ojo area of Lagos State.
The prosecuting counsel, Ms. Abimbola Abolade, told the court that the defendant’s offence contravened the provisions of Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.
The judge, therefore, adjourned trial in the suit to October 1, 2023 and also to hear the defendant’s bail application.
