KINGSLEY EBERE
A 26-year old woman, Joy Godwin, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly beating and using a hot knife to inflict injury on a 12-year old girl, Chidera Divine Godwin.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Ogunnaike, Faith Crescent, Majiyagbe, Ipaja, Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, the woman committed the alleged offence over an undisclosed matter. After beating the victim with a cane, she allegedly used a hot knife to inflict injury on her.
However, the matter got exposed when their neighbours contacted the Police. She was arrested and transferred to the Gender Section of the Police Command for interrogation over her conduct.
After interrogation at the Gender Section, the Police found her culpable and consequently charged her before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence under the Criminal Laws of the State.
The charges read:
COUNT I: “That you, Joy Godwin ‘F’ on the 13th day of February, 2025 at about 1050hrs, at No. 3/5, Ogunnaike, Faith Crescent, Majiyagbe, Ipaja, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did indecently deal with one Chidera Divine Godwin ‘F’ 12 years old by beating her with a cane and using a hot knife to inflict injury all over her body and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:” That you, Joy Godwin, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did cause grievous harm to one Chidera Divine Godwin ‘F’ by using a hot knife to inflict injuries on her palms, lip, leg and under her feet and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 245 of The Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since she pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that she actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted her bail with surety who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while address will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.
