I HAVE LOST COUNT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT, 9 YEAR OLD GIRL DEFILED BY POLICEMAN TELLS COURT

The policeman is facing a one-count charge of defilement contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which prescribes a life sentence for anyone found guilty of defilement.

Penpushing further reports that, the child, being led in evidence by, the state Prosecutor Inumidun Solarin said the defendant, who was her neighbour, had defiled her on various occasions and that on the last occasion, he had lured her into his apartment under the pretext of giving her N200 to buy milk for him.

The victim added that the accused after defiling her had hid her under his bed when her elder sister was frantically searching for her, adding that, “I know Brother Andy (the defendant). He is our neighbour, who lives at the back yard of our house. He is popularly known as ‘Officer’.

“On that day, Brother Andy called me when I got back from school and sent me on an errand. He sent me to go and buy milk for him. Then he gave me N200. I bought the milk and when I returned, he asked me to bring it inside his room. He then said I should drop the milk on the table and sit down’.

“When I sat down, he now told me to lie on the bed and remove my pant. He now put his penis in my bum bum. He put his penis at my front bum bum (she demonstrates by pointing at her vagina)’.

“After that, he asked me to hide under the bed when my elder sister came calling my name. One of our neighbours, Chioma, even entered his room to buy recharge card for him, though she didn’t see me, I saw her from under the bed.

“And because my elder sister was shouting my name and looking for me, officer told me to pretend like nothing happened and that I should pass through the backyard gate.”

Penpushing also reports that, the victim told the court that when she was found by her sister she lied and said she was at her friend’s house and that her sister had insisted that she took her to the friend’s house.

“I started begging her not to beat me, and I told her that I was inside officer’s room. My sister beat me and reported to my father who was very angry. When my mummy came back from the market where she sells Abacha (African salad), my sister reported me again’.

“This time my mummy threatened to kill me if I don’t tell her what happened. I became afraid and told her the truth. Immediately my mummy called all her brothers and they came to our house the following morning and took us to Amukoko police station to report. It was after we made a report at the station that the police came and arrested Brother Andy,” she said.

Penpushing reports that, the child while being cross-examined by, the Defence Counsel, Mr M.L. Ezomo explained the reason why she did not report the abuse, adding that the accused had threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

The girl when asked how many times the accused had engaged her in sex, said ““Many times. I can’t really count,”, and also explained that, ’no other person touched me except Brother Andy.”

Penpushing further reports that, the witness said she was referred by authorities to the Mirabel Centre (a Sexual Assault Referral Centre) where the Doctors confirmed  that victim had been sexually abused on several occasions by the defendant.

Meanwhile, Justice Sybil Nwaka adjourned the case until October 30 for continuation of trial.