Lagos family seek justice for 15-year-old girl allegedly defiled by three men

Lagos, Nigeria – A disturbing case of alleged child defilement has sparked outrage in Lagos, with the family of a 15-year-old girl seeking intervention from the top legal authorities of the syate after the police released three suspects on bail.

According to a petition filed by the family’s lawyer, G.E. Anaba, the teenage victim was subjected to prolonged sexual harassment, beginning when she was just 13 years old.

The three suspects, arrested by Festac Division police, were surprisingly granted bail, while a fourth suspect remains at large.

The family is calling on the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Director of Public Prosecution, and the state’s Ministry of Justice to intervene and ensure the suspects face prosecution.

The petition signed by the family’s lawyer, G.E Anaba, a senior partner of Ruhm & Associate, Lagos,read, “We hereby submit this petition to draw attention to the grave issue of sexual harassment faced by a 15-year-old girl, which commenced when she just turned 13 years.

This incident has not only caused profound psychological harm to the victim but also violates her fundamental rights and the laws of Nigeria.

“In 2022, one Mr Desmond approached our client while she was riding a bicycle with other children in Corporation Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, where they both reside and started conversing with her.

He took her telephone number and invited her to his house where he and one Craig forcefully had sexual intercourse with her even though she is a minor, without any protection.

Thereafter, he (Desmond) told her that if she told anyone, he would post videos of it on the Internet.

He sent her a website address to show that he meant what he said.

“Our client also informed us that Desmond continued these heinous acts to date, in his house in Corporation Estate.

“In 2024, Desmond visited our client’s mother’s shop in the company of his friend, Leonard, in Amuwo Odofin. Leonard asked for our client’s number on the pretence that she should send him some WhatsApp pictures of the new wares her mother would bring.

“Some days after he collected her number, he started conversations with our client on WhatsApp, asking her to send pictures of some items from her mom’s shop.”

In the process, he asked her what relationship she had with Desmond.
Our client opened up on all that transpired between her, Desmond and Craig and how he had continuously had carnal knowledge of her.

Leonard then told our client to tell Desmond that she liked him (Leonard) and that they were in a relationship. Our client did as instructed, hoping that would save her.

“In May 2024, Leonard asked our client to come to Desmond’s house. Upon arrival, they both forced our client to have oral and sexual intercourse with them after which they gave her a contraceptive pill.

“On September 1, 2024, Mr Henry Chiokwe invited our client to his house in Durbar Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos. He told her he had obtained her sex video from the person with whom she had sex at Corporation Estate. He threatened to post the said videos in social media if she did not come. It was at this point that our client told her family.

“We are calling on relevant authorities, including the Lagos State government, law enforcement agencies and child protection agencies, to take immediate action in this case. Specifically, we urge swift legal action and protection of the victim. Sexual harassment and defilement is an affront to human dignity and must be addressed decisively”, the petition read.