Man risks 9-yr jail term for alleged defilement of 12-yr-old girl
Amiddle-aged man, Jamiu Sipe, may be jailed for nine years if found guilty of defiling his neighbour’s 12-year-old daughter.
Sipe, who was last Wednesday dragged before an Ogba chief magistrate court, Lagos, on a one-count charge of defilement, will know his fate on October 12, 2018 when the presiding magistrate, Mr Peter Nwaka, is expected to rule on the case.
Police said that the incident happened penultimate Monday on Ondo Street, in the Ajegunle area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
The prosecutor, Inspector Christopher John, urged the court to visit maximum punishment on the accused “to serve as a deterrent to others.”
John, who expressed worry about what he called the high rate of rape and defilement of minors, said that Sipe lured the girl into his apartment, locked the door and forcefully had sex with her. He then allegedly warned her not to tell anyone, including her parents, about what happened.
The prosecutor added that a neighbour, however, suspected the girl’s movement and raised an alarm after she came out.
“When the girl’s parents came back home, they were told what happened to their daughter and the matter was reported to the police at the Gender Section of the state police command, Lagos. The accused was arrested and detained for interrogation. He was consequently charged to court,” the prosecutor said.
The court did not take Sipe’s plea and denied him bail.
Magistrate Nwaka directed the prosecutor to send the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice.