MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 65-year old man, Obi Ugadi, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly assaulting his neighbour’s 8-year old girl by dipping his finger into her private part and thereby causing her parents serious embarrassment.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 23rd February, 2025, at Olojede Street, Ayobo Roundabout, Ayobo, Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, the suspect lured the victim to his apartment, removed her pants and inserted his finger into her private part in order to satisfy his sexual desires.
However, after the act, the victim informed her parents about what happened and the matter was reported to the Police at Ayobo Division. The suspect was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charge read:
COUNT 1: “That you, Obi Ugadi ‘m: on the 23rd of Feliruary, 2025 at about 1800s at No. 4, Olojede Street, Ayobo Roundabout, Ayobo, Lagos in the Magisterial District, did conduct yourself in a manner to cause breach of peace by fingering the victim, 8 years old and causing her parents discomfort, harassment and embarrassment and thereby committed and offence contrary to and punishable under Section 168 (d) of Criminal Law, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:” That you, Obi Ugadi ‘m; on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did sexually harass the victim by unlawfully dipping your finger into her vagina and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 261 of Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
The Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the Prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, ordered the remand of the defendant in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP for legal advice.
The matter was adjourned for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.
