A 50-year-old security guard named Mohammed Sanni has been taken into custody in Lagos State after allegedly having sexual relations with his 13-year-old neighbor inside an unfinished building.
The incident occurred on Obidiegwe Street in the Iyana School, Iba area, where both parties reside.
The police report states that Sanni enticed the victim with an offer, which she accepted, and then proceeded to engage in sexual activity with her multiple times. Once he had satisfied himself, he allowed her to leave.
The situation came to light when the victim’s mother returned from the market and discovered her missing. Later that evening, the mother spotted her daughter exiting the unfinished building.
Concerned, the mother asked what she was doing there so late at night, to which the victim confessed that Sanni had taken her to the location, given her suya (a Nigerian grilled meat snack) to eat, and then engaged in sexual activity with her.
Sanni was arrested and reported to the local Police.
He was then transferred to the Gender Section of the State Police Command for questioning regarding his alleged behavior.
After the interrogation, the Police determined that he was responsible and he was subsequently charged in the Ogba Magistrate Court for the offense, which could result in several years or life imprisonment.
However, the Court did not allow him to enter a plea when he was brought before them.
This was because the prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, requested that the Court refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice due to the seriousness of the alleged offense.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Layinka, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, 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 for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.
