By Fathia Bolarinwa
The family of a 15-year-old girl (names withheld) who was allegedly defiled by three men, has raised the alarm over the release of the suspects by the Police, calling on the Attorney General of Lagos State, Director of Public Prosecution, as well as the state’s Ministry of Justice, to intervene.
It was gathered that three suspects who were arrested in connection with the alleged defilement by policemen in Festac Division were released on bail, with the fourth suspect still on the run.
However, the family in a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, CP Ishola Olarewaju, called for the immediate prosecution of the released suspects
The petition signed by the family’s lawyer, G.E Anaba, a senior partner of Ruhm & Associate, Lagos,read, “We hereby submit this petition to draw attention to the grave issue of sexual harassment faced by a 15-year-old girl, which commenced when she just turned 13 years. This incident has not only caused profound psychological harm to the victim but also violates her fundamental rights and the laws of Nigeria.
“In 2022, one Mr Desmond approached our client while she was riding a bicycle with other children in Corporation Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, where they both reside and started conversing with her . He took her telephone number and invited her to his house where he and one Craig forcefully had sexual intercourse with her even though she is a minor, without any protection. Thereafter, he (Desmond)told her that if she told anyone, he would post videos of it on the Internet. He sent her a website address [www.shares.com] to show that he meant what he said.
“Our client also informed us that Desmond continued these heinous acts to date, in his house in Corporation Estate.
“In 2024, Desmond visited our client’s mother’s shop in the company of his friend, Leonard, in Amuwo Odofin. Leonard asked for our client’s number on the pretence that she should send him some WhatsApp pictures of the new wares her mother would bring.
“Some days after he collected her number, he started conversations with our client on WhatsApp, asking her to send pictures of some items from her mom’s shop.”
In the process, he asked her what relationship she had with Desmond.
Our client opened up on all that transpired between her, Desmond and Craig and how he had continuously had carnal knowledge of her.
Leonard then told our client to tell Desmond that she liked him (Leonard) and that they were in a relationship. Our client did as instructed, hoping that would save her.
“In May 2024, Leonard asked our client to come to Desmond’s house. Upon arrival, they both forced our client to have oral and sexual intercourse with them after which they gave her a contraceptive pill.
“On September 1, 2024, Mr Henry Chiokwe invited our client to his house in Durbar Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos. He told her he had obtained her sex video from the person with whom she had sex at Corporation Estate. He threatened to post the said videos in social media if she did not come. It was at this point that our client told her family.
“We are calling on relevant authorities, including the Lagos State government, law enforcement agencies and child protection agencies, to take immediate action in this case. Specifically, we urge swift legal action and protection of the victim. Sexual harassment and defilement is an affront to human dignity and must be addressed decisively”, the petition read.
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