An Ikeja Chief Magistrates' Court has remanded a 43-year-old trader, Friday Okiye, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly defiling a five-year-old girl. The defendant, who resides in the Ojo area of Lagos, faces a charge of defilement.
Court Proceedings and Remand Order
Chief Magistrate C.M. Kushanu did not take the defendant's plea. She ordered his remand at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The case was adjourned until September 30 for the DPP's advice.
Alleged Incident at Trade Fair Market
Prosecutor Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that the defendant committed the offence at the Trade Fair Market, Aspanda, Ojo, Lagos. Mr Ademigbuji stated that the defendant lured his neighbour's five-year-old cousin into his shop under the pretext of giving her money.
The prosecutor noted that the defendant placed the child on his lap and sexually assaulted her with his fingers while she cried. The victim's cries alerted her uncle, whose shop was near the defendant's shop. The uncle caught the defendant in the act of sexually assaulting the victim.
Legal Basis and Penalty
The prosecutor stated that the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. He added that Section 137 provides for life imprisonment upon conviction.
The remand order ensures the defendant remains in custody until the DPP provides legal advice, with the next court hearing scheduled for September 30.
