The family of a seven-year-old child (name withheld) in Lagos State’s Ikorodu neighborhood has requested justice in relation to the youngster’s alleged sexual assault by one of their neighbors.
In a Thursday conversation with reporters, Adeola Adesanya, the victim’s aunt, revealed this.
The behavior of the police, according to Adesanya, who released the suspect without carrying out a proper investigation on the pretext that all of the state’s correctional facilities were full and there was nowhere to house prisoners, hurt the family more.
“The incident occurred on October 21,” she stated. Upon my return home, my daughter informed me that he had seen Baba Abdulahi in an inappropriate pose with my foster daughter. When she inquired about the girl’s behavior, the girl disclosed to my daughter that the aforementioned Baba Abdulahi had been caressing her private areas. My daughter claimed that the man had vanished from sight when she stepped outside to confront him.The child was questioned after I brought the situation to the attention of the Igbogbo Police Station. At that point, we realized that the man abusing her was Baba Abdulahi’s younger brother.
“The child was questioned at the Igbogbo Police Station after I reported the situation there. At that point, we realized that the man abusing her was Baba Abdulahi’s younger brother. Before the police could detain the suspect, I was instructed to give them N5,000 for the cost of transportation, which I did. Following the arrest, I was instructed to attend to two different hospitals and get tested; when I did, the results verified that there had been a penetration.When I provided the police the results, they informed me that a court case would be brought. However, to my astonishment, a few days before our scheduled court appearance,
The police called to inform me that the suspect had been released and that we could not continue with the court hearing due to a circular stating that the jail facilities were full and could not take further prisoners.
She went on to say that she had been worried about justice being done in the case because of the police’s apathy.
“After her mother, who was also my sister, passed away, this girl was placed in my care as an orphan. Right now, the only thing I can do for her is make sure justice is done, but the way the police are handling the case, I’m afraid justice won’t be served,” Adesanya said.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, did not answer calls or messages left on his line when he was approached for comment.