Man Taken Into Custody For Raping 16-Year-Old

A man was taken into custody in Lagos State for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl.

According to reports, the incident happened on 13th September, 2024, at Biodun Banire Street, Lucky Fiba in Ikorodu area of Lagos, where they reside.

Police said the suspect, 47-year-old Sunday Eshiet, allegedly lured the victim to his apartment, held her with words of mouth, fondled her breasts and she became confused before he penetrated her.

The victim later regained her senses but by then the suspect had already satisfied himself and allowed her to go. She exposed what happened to her parents.

The matter was reported to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, which moved into action, arrested the man and detained him for interrogation over the alleged offence.

During interrogation, CrimesChroniclers learnt that the suspect admitted to his crimes but said he sought the consent of the victim, which she denied and claimed that he raped her.

The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

COUNT I: “That you, Sunday Eshiet “M’, on the 13th of September 2024 at No. 43 Biodun Banire Street, Lucky Fiba Ikorodu Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did have sexual intercourse with one Sunday Blessing “F” age 16yrs and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 137 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”

COUNT II: ” That you, Sunday Eshiet ‘M’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did sexually assault one Sunday Blessing ‘F’ by touching her breasts and pants and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 263 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”

However, the Court did not take his plea, when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the Prosecutor, Inspector John Iberedem, asked 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. Kubeinje, 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 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.