27-yr-old man arraigned for raping 14-yr-old girl

An Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a 27-year-old man, Adegoke Apata, for allegedly raping a secondary school student, (name withheld) in her parents’ home.

The incident happened at Omotayo Street, Ikotun, Lagos State.

It was learnt that the victim and the defendant were neighbours.


The victim’s parents were said to be away from the house when the suspect sneaked into their room and slept with the 14-year-old without her consent.

It was learnt that she struggled with the defendant, but was overpowered.

The victim was said to have related the incident to her parents who reported at the police station, leading to the arrest of the defendant.

The police said the sexual assault caused harm and injury to the victim.

Apata was arraigned on one count of rape.

The charge reads, “That you, Adegoke Apata, on January 19, 2014, around 5.30pm at 9, Omotayo Street, Abaranje Ikotun, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did forcefully have sexual intercourse with one (name withheld), aged 14 years, which caused her harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty and elected summary trial.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odige, asked that the matter be adjourned for legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

The magistrate, Ms S.O Solebo, ruled that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi prison pending legal advice.

The state government had decided that cases involving murder, armed robbery and rape should be referred for DPP legal advice before trial, due to the rampancy of the crimes in the society.

The matter was adjourned till March 10, 2014.