Police drag businessman to court over alleged defilement 

•Trader Arraigned Over N9.3m Fraud

A 31-year-old businessman, Lekan Thompson has been dragged before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ikeja over the alleged defiling of a 13-year-old girl (name withheld).

Thompson was brought by the police before Magistrate (Mrs) A. O Layinka on a two-count charge of threat to life and defilement.

The defendant’s plea was not taken as the Magistrate directed the police to send the case file to the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice and ordered that Thompson be remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

She subsequently adjourned the case to December 6, 2021, for DPP’s advice.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the defendant had canal knowledge of the teenager and also threatened to kill her if she tells anybody.

He said his offence contravened the provisions of sections 56(b) and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Meanwhile, a 36-year-old trader, Taofeek Sulaimon has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrates’ Court, Ikeja for an alleged fraud of N9.3million.

Sulaimon was arraigned on a three-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences, stealing and assault before Magistrate (Mrs) A. O Dirisu.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Mojirade Edeme, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in October 2016, at Irepodun Street, Ilepo, Lagos State. She obtained the money from one Mrs Rashidat Hammed, under the pretext that he would return it before 30 days, a representation he knew to be false.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant collected the money with a promise to return and refused to pay it back but assaulted the complainant for asking for her money.

Edeme said the defendant harmed the complainant by using a rod to beat her and removed three of her teeth, which led to the arrest of the defendant.

His alleged offences contravene sections 173, 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Following the defendant’s plea of no guilt, Magistrate Dirisu, therefore, granted the defendant bail of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government. She, therefore, adjourned the hearing to October 19, 2021.