How man allegedly defiled nine-year-old pap seller in market – Police

An Investigative Police Officer, Inspector Rachael Jacob-Osoola, on Tuesday told an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos State how a man, Abdulraman Azirika, allegedly defiled a nine-year-old pap seller (name withheld) in a market.

The serving officer at Gender Section, Lagos Police Command, said the case was moved from Ketu Police Station.

Jacob-Osoola, who was led in evidence by the State Counsel, Inumidun Solaarin, said the case was transferred on December 17, 2021.

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.

She said: “The survivor told me she went to sell pap in the morning on December 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 December 6 and 7, two days prior to the day he was caught by a passerby.

“She said on December 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.”

The News Agency of Nigeria 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 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 Inspector Lawrence, who visited the scene of the crime.

“The IPO in Ketu, Inspector 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 charged for defilement, which he had earlier pleaded not guilty to.

Justice Ramon Oshodi adjourned the case until March 29 for continuation of trial.