A Police Inspector, Lawrence Ojo has narrated to Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Sexual Offences Court in Ikeja how a defendant, Success Odigomma Ude allegedly defiled a-13-year-old physically challenged boy.
The officer who works with the Gender Section of the Lagos State Police Command informed the trial judge that the defendant had anal sex with the minor at Ajangbadi area of Lagos State while giving evidence during the defendant’s trial on Monday.
He said that the defendant sexually assaulted the boy who is speech-impaired.
According to his evidence, the defendant who resides in Ajah area of Lagos went all the way to Ajangbadi area where the survivor lives with his mother to perpetrate the act.
He told the court that the boy’s mother reported the matter to the Police.
The police officer with 23 years experience who investigated the case of sexual offence said the defendant perpetrated the act against the minor between the month of May and August, 2021 at Ilufe Area of Ojo in Lagos.
He gave this account while he was being led in evidence by the State Prosecutor, Inumidun Solarin as the sixth prosecution witness before the court.
According to the investigator, the defendant in his statement stated that he only met the survivor who had speech impairment and decided to help him financially.
The investigator claimed that the defendant took the boy to a beer parlour where they both had pepper soup and drinks.
He added that during his investigation, the minor’s mother stated that she was curious to know about the relationship between her son and the defendant.
The officer told the court that the complainant (survivor’s mother) said there was a huge age difference between her son and the defendant.
Inspector Ojo said, “I found out that they are two brothers who are speech impaired from the same parents and one of them is learning tailoring.”
The State Prosecutor, I. Solarin said the defendant was arraigned before the court on February 17, 2022 and the court admitted all 16 exhibits tendered at today’s proceeding.
Meanwhile, the Prosecution has closed its case whereas the defendant is set to open his defence.
Under cross examination of the witness, Inspector Ojo informed the court, “My Lord, according to what the survivor stated through an interpreter the defendant had anal sex with him using saliva in his anus and used penis to penetrate the survivor and asked him to masturbate him.
But he added that the defendant did not admit it.
The defendant is standing trial for alledged sexual assault by penetration contrary to Section 261 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17,Vol.3. Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Meanwhile, Justice Oshodi has adjourned till February 16, 2023 for the defendant to open his defence.
