By Bilesanmi Abayomi
In a distressing case presented before the Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday, a 35-year-old man, Idowu Shoyede, has been ordered into remand for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 16-year-old daughter.
Shoyede, residing on Oredola Street, Iju Ishaga, Lagos, faced charges of defilement as brought forth by the police. The presiding Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, refrained from taking Shoyede’s plea. Instead, she directed the police to duplicate the case file and forward it to the Office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.
Pending the advice, Magistrate Kubeinje ordered the defendant’s remand at a custodial facility. Expressing concern over the escalating rate of child defilement in the state, she adjourned the case until January 16, 2024, for mention.
According to the prosecutor, ASP Kehinde Ajayi, the alleged incident occurred on November 13 at Shoyede’s residence on Oredola Street. Ajayi asserted that the defendant was apprehended engaging in sexual intercourse with his neighbour’s 16-year-old daughter. The prosecutor detailed that Shoyede lured the teenager into his room before committing the alleged defilement.
Additionally, Shoyede was accused of behaving in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace. The charges against him contravene the provisions of Sections 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015, with the offence carrying a potential punishment of up to life imprisonment.