An Investigative Police Officer, Insp. Rachael Jacob-Osoola on Tuesday told an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court how a man, Abdulraman Azirika, allegedly defiled a nine-year-old pap seller (name withheld) in a market.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jacob-Osoola, a serving officer at Gender Section, Lagos Police Command, testified that the case of defilement was transferred from Ketu Police Station on Dec. 17, 2021.
She was led in evidence by the state counsel, Ms. Inumidun Solaarin.
According to the witness, the survivor was brought to Lagos by her aunt whom she had been assisting to sell pap at Mile 2 Market.
“The survivor told me she went to sell pap in the morning on Dec. 8, 2021, at the market square and the defendant’s house when he took her to his room, locked the door, pushed her on the bed and had sex with her.
“The survivor said she wanted to shout but the defendant covered her mouth. She also said the defendant had sex with her on Dec. 6 and 7, two days prior to the day he was caught by a passerby.
“She said on Dec. 8 when he had sex with her for the third time, she did not enjoy it again, the reason she shouted and someone rescued her from the defendant and took her to the security post in the market before he was taken to the police station,” she said.
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NAN reports that the prosecution presented a certified copy of extra judicial statement of the survivor, defendant, complainant and police statements which were admitted in evidence.
During cross-examination by Mr. Joseph Asine, the defence counsel, the witness confirmed to the court that it was the survivor and the complainant that narrated everything to her.
She said the complainant was the aunt of the survivor.
The witness maintained that she investigated the case but it was her colleague, one Insp Lawrence who visited the scene of the crime.
“The IPO in Ketu, Insp Patricia also visited the scene of the crime before the case was transferred to the Gender Unit in Ikeja,” she said.
NAN reports that defendant was being charged for defilement which he had earlier pleaded not guilty to.
Justice Ramon Oshodi adjourned the case until March 29 for continuation of trial. (NAN)
