17-year-old boy faces life imprisonment for defiling 11-year-old girl
A 17-year-old boy, John Ojewole, is facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars for reportedly having sexual intercourse with an 11-year-old girl in Lagos State.
The incident took place on Prophet Adebayo Street in Agodo Egbe area of Ikotun, Lagos, where both the boy and the girl live as neighbours.
The boy was arrested and charged with defilement, a serious crime that could lead to several years of imprisonment or even a life sentence.
According to reports, the boy allegedly lured the girl into a relationship and engaged in inappropriate conduct with her, leading to their discovery by concerned parties, including the girl’s parents.
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Following the report made by the girl’s parents to the Ikotun Division Police, the boy was taken into custody for questioning regarding the matter.
During the interrogation, he admitted to a relationship with the girl but was still held accountable for his actions due to the age difference between them.
The case was taken to the Ogba Magistrate Court under Section 137 of the State’s Criminal Laws, where the boy’s plea was not taken immediately.
The prosecutor requested the matter to be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice given the severity of the allegations.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. E. Kubenije, ordered his remand in custody pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP.
The matter was adjourned till 24th July, 2024, for mention when the report of the DPP’s advice will be ready, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.
