POLICE TESTIFY IN COURT REGARDING THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY.

The Lagos State Domestic Violence and Sexual Offenses Court has heard how a police inspector, Lawrence Ojo, described how a middle-aged man, Odigomma Ude, allegedly defiled a 13-year-old boy (names withheld) by engaging in anal sex with him.

The boy, who is speech-impaired, was sexually assaulted by the defendant between May and August 2021 at Blue Area of Ojo in Lagos, according to Ojo, who gave testimony in the ongoing trial of Ude over the alleged offense. The trial judge, Justice Ramon Oshodi, was informed of this by Ojo.

The witness, who was a member of the police investigation team, stated that the defendant, who lives in the Ajah neighborhood of Lagos, travels all the way to the Ajangbadi neighborhood, where the victim and his mother reside, to carry out the crime.

A single count of alleged sexual assault by penetration in violation of Section 261 of Lagos State’s 2015 Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3 is the basis for the defendant’s trial.

He, however, entered a not guilty plea to the accusation.

The boy’s mother reported the incident to the police, Inspector Ojo testified to Justice Oshodi.

The police officer testified that the defendant claimed in his statement that he met the survivor who had speech impairment and decided to help him financially. The police officer claimed to have 23 years of experience investigating sexual offenses.

The witness also told the court that the defendant brought the youngster to a bar where they both had drinks and pepper soup.

The opening of the defense’s case was postponed until February 16, 2023 by Justice Oshodi.