A
High Court in Lagos yesterday heard how Kehinde Layode, 38, defiled a
two-year-old girl.The incident happened on January 12, 2013, at Bakare
Street on Igando Lagos.
Led in evidence by the prosecutor, Akin George, the victim’s mother, Mrs Mercy Ofaghae narrated how the incident happened.
Mrs Ofaghae said the defendant was a close neighbour, adding:
“The incident happened on January 12, three weeks after my husband travelled out of the country. That fateful night, my daughter was running temperature seriously as a result of teething problem. So I called my neighbour and friend, Mrs Layode, the wife of the accused, who brought paracetamol for the girl and advised me to bath her.
“But the drug didn’t suppress her temperature, then I told her I have to rush out to buy Pican (drug) for my daughter and I dropped my daughter with my neighbour’s husband, the accused, because the wife was on her way to the salon and we both left the house.
“When I got back home with the drug, I knocked Mr Layode’s door and he claimed to be in the bathroom and it took him one hour before he opened the door and when he eventually did, I rushed in and took my daughter to our apartment and I took off her clothes to bath her before administering the drug.
“But when I got to her pant, there was sperm on it and I screamed and neighbours rushed into my apartment to see what was the matter”.
Mrs Ofaghae said the defendant was among those who came in and he asked her if she was accusing her of raping her daughter.
She said the question infuriated another neighbour who slapped the defendant because she claimed he has actually exposed himself.
She said her daughter was rushed to the hospital where the doctor confirmed that the girl has been defiled after being tested.
“I was so shocked when I realised what Kehinde did to my daughter. Though his family members pleaded that I should help them cover the matter up but it seems my daughter was not the first victim because the defendant’s brother confirmed this”, she said.
Earlier, George preferred a one- count charge against the defendant before Justice Ipaye.
He told the court that the offence contravenes Section 258 of the Criminal Act Law of Lagos State (2011).
The accused pleaded not guilty, Justice Ipaye ordered the defendant remanded in prison and adjourned the matter till August 19.
After the court rose, Mrs Ofaghae told reporters: “When the matter was first taken to the family court, the accused was granted bail in the sum of N250,000 and he was walking about freely, but today the judge has ordered that he should be remanded.
“I’m so happy today and I’ll have a sound sleep. I’ll even share testimony in church on Sunday”.
Led in evidence by the prosecutor, Akin George, the victim’s mother, Mrs Mercy Ofaghae narrated how the incident happened.
Mrs Ofaghae said the defendant was a close neighbour, adding:
“The incident happened on January 12, three weeks after my husband travelled out of the country. That fateful night, my daughter was running temperature seriously as a result of teething problem. So I called my neighbour and friend, Mrs Layode, the wife of the accused, who brought paracetamol for the girl and advised me to bath her.
“But the drug didn’t suppress her temperature, then I told her I have to rush out to buy Pican (drug) for my daughter and I dropped my daughter with my neighbour’s husband, the accused, because the wife was on her way to the salon and we both left the house.
“When I got back home with the drug, I knocked Mr Layode’s door and he claimed to be in the bathroom and it took him one hour before he opened the door and when he eventually did, I rushed in and took my daughter to our apartment and I took off her clothes to bath her before administering the drug.
“But when I got to her pant, there was sperm on it and I screamed and neighbours rushed into my apartment to see what was the matter”.
Mrs Ofaghae said the defendant was among those who came in and he asked her if she was accusing her of raping her daughter.
She said the question infuriated another neighbour who slapped the defendant because she claimed he has actually exposed himself.
She said her daughter was rushed to the hospital where the doctor confirmed that the girl has been defiled after being tested.
“I was so shocked when I realised what Kehinde did to my daughter. Though his family members pleaded that I should help them cover the matter up but it seems my daughter was not the first victim because the defendant’s brother confirmed this”, she said.
Earlier, George preferred a one- count charge against the defendant before Justice Ipaye.
He told the court that the offence contravenes Section 258 of the Criminal Act Law of Lagos State (2011).
The accused pleaded not guilty, Justice Ipaye ordered the defendant remanded in prison and adjourned the matter till August 19.
After the court rose, Mrs Ofaghae told reporters: “When the matter was first taken to the family court, the accused was granted bail in the sum of N250,000 and he was walking about freely, but today the judge has ordered that he should be remanded.
“I’m so happy today and I’ll have a sound sleep. I’ll even share testimony in church on Sunday”.
