One of 4 girls in Lagos abused before age 18 – Commissioner

The Lagos State Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo has disclosed the rampant nature of underage girls’ abuse in the state; noting that one out of four girls will be abused in Lagos before the age of 18.

Onigbanjo, who is Chairman, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) disclosed this during a news conference commemorating September as the Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

‘‘Recent statistics conducted by the Lagos State Government in partnership with UNICEF reveals that one in four girls would be abused before the age of 18 years old.

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‘‘Also, one in 10 boys would be abused before the age of 18 years old,” he said.

Meanwhile, an Ekiti State Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti, the state capital has ordered the detention of two men over the alleged rape of a minor.

One of the alleged culprits is a 72-year-old man identified as Gesture Omolade; while the other is Ayodeji Adejugbe, 42.

The court ordered that the duo be remanded in a custodial centre over the alleged rape of the minor. The defendants were charged with conspiracy and rape.

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This was disclosed by the Police prosecutor, Inspector Olubu Apata. Specifically, Apata stated that the suspects raped the 17-year-old several times in Ado Ekiti; adding that this had occurred between July and August 2021.

“The defendants took her to Room Two in the hospital where she was an apprentice as a nurse… They had sexual intercourse with her; with the promise of giving her N10,000 to ensure that she did not tell anybody.

“The offences run contrary to Section 31 of the Child Rights Law of Ekiti State, 2012,” he stated.

Thereafter, the prosecutor prayed the court to remand the suspects; pending the release of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. The request was granted by the Chief Magistrate, Saka Afunso, who ordered their detention.

Consequently, he adjourned the case till October 5, 2021, for mention.