40-Year-Old Man Jailed for Statutory Rape of 14-Year-Old Girl

A 40-year old man, Sunday Okonkwo, has landed in trouble for allegedly luring a 14-year old girl and engaging her in sex romp in Lagos State.

Streetwise reports that the suspect, Okonkwo, has been arrested and charged for statutory rape under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

The incident happened at Oyewole Street, 1st Junction Bus Stop, Abaranje, Ikotun area of Lagos, where they reside.

The matter was reported to the Police at Ikotun Division and Okonkwo was arrested and detained at the station following the report by the victim’s parents that she was raped by the suspect.

While being interrogated, Okonkwo reportedly admitted to have slept with the victim but with her consent and as such he did not rape her as claimed by the complainant. But the victim’s parents insisted that he actually defiled her because she is still a minor under the law.

The Police found him culpable for engaging a minor in sex and subsequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for defilement under Section 137 of the Criminal Code of the State.

The Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor, DSP Kehinde Ajayi, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice because of the nature of the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. E. Kubenije, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when the DPP’s report will be ready and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP.

The matter was adjourned till 6th February, 2024, for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to  be ready, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.