Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Court sitting in Ikeja has heard how a security guard, Seun Micheal and his friend Olatilo Egbayelo allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl, (names withheld) in the Abule-Oja, Yaba area of Lagos.
The evidence was given by the fourth Prosecution Witness, Police Inspector, Titi Owoeye with No.AP 221362 attached to the Sabo Police Station, Yaba.
She testified before the court on Tuesday that the a minor and her mother reported a case of defilement against the defendants on 29 April 2023.
While being led in evidence by State Prosecuting Counsel, Bukola Okeowo at the continuation of trial, the serving officer told the court that the incidence occurred on the day her mother wanted to beat her and she left the house.
The witness recounted the alleged defendants’ confessional statements.
Quoting the alleged victim’s statement when the matter was reported to the Police, Owoeye told the court, “She said she met one Ola and Ola asked her where she was going.
“Ola accommodated her and slept with her more than three times. She also told us about Michael that when she went to look for Ola, Micheal also slept with her.”
Inspector Owoeye said that both defendants made statements under caution when the case was lodged at the station.
The witness added, “When the case was referred to me from the charge room the statements of the complainant was recorded, the victim and two suspects made their statements under caution.”
“During my investigation into the case of alleged defilement, they both admitted to have slept with the girl at different times.”
“I gave a medical paper to take the victim to Women at Risk International Foundation, WARIF, for medical check-up.
“The Divisional Police Officer instructed that their case files be taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Lagos.
Following the officer’s oral evidence before the court, she tendered certified true copies of statements by alleged defendant, alleged victim, mother and the statement made by the Police Inspector at the SCID where the case was transferred.
Being cross examined by Defence Counsel, Sam Ogungbamila, SAN, the witness told the court that Ola asked her to come the following day.
“When she got there, she met Micheal but he volunteer for her to make call with his phone and that was how she stayed with Micheal and Micheal with slept her. That was what the victim said,” she revealed.
When the witness was queried, how she investigated the age of the alleged victim, Owoeye replied, “It was the mother that said she was 14.
“I did not see the birth certificate to check but the mother said she’s 14.
“I asked the mother and child herself.
When asked how she arrested the defendants, she said, “Ola was arrested close to residence of the victim, at Abule-Oja.”
“The case was brought to the station on 28 April 2023 but the CR that made the entry made it 29 April, 2023 at midnight.”
The defendants were charged to court in suit number ID/22824C/23.
The defendants are standing trial for alleged defilement of a 14-year old child contrary to section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.
The charge reads: “That you, Seun Michael, and Olatilo Egbayelo, on April 25 and 27 respectively at No. 3, Ibikunle Street, Yaba and Abule Oja, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did defile a 14-year-old girl (name withheld) by having sexual intercourse with her and thereby committed an office punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria, 2015.”
Justice Oshodi adjourned till July 3, 2025 for continuation of trial.
