An eight-year-old girl (name withheld) allegedly defiled by one Lekan Tunji, has reportedly died on Monday while the trial was still in progress in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
The girl who was defiled last year June by the defendant was reported to have died on Monday.
Tunji was arrested by men of the state police command for allegedly defiling the victim and also inserting a blackish substance into the girl’s vagina with his finger.
Our correspondent gathered that police arraigned Tunji last year before a family court sitting at Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on a one-count charge.
Tunji, according to the charge sheet, committed the offence on June 27, 2022, at Lagbua Village, Kemta Housing Estate, Idi-aba, Abeokuta.
The charge sheet read “that you Lekan Oyedele Tunji on or about the 27 days of June 2002 at about 05:30 pm at Lagbua Village, Kemta Housing Estate, Idi-aba, Abeokuta in the Abeokuta Magisterial District did sexually exploit one (name withheld) an eight-year-old girl by inserting a blackish substance into her vagina with your finger and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and punishable under section 33 of the Child Rights Law, Laws of Ogun State, 2006,” the charge reads.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge and he was granted bail by the Magistrate in charge of the case, Mrs Idowu.
The Prosecuting counsel, M J Oyefesobi had opened the case and closed it after calling witnesses and presenting some evidence in support of the case.
When the trial resumed on Thursday for the respondent’s counsel to open defence, the Court was informed that the girl had died.
Defence Counsel, T. A Akinsola prayed the court to adjourn the matter in view of the circumstance.
The Prosecuting counsel did not oppose the prayer.
Magistrate Mrs E.O Idowu, therefore, adjourned the matter till August 3 for the opening of defence.
While speaking with newsmen, the plaintiff, Adedamola Lapite, who is also, told newsmen after the adjournment that the girl died while she was preparing for school on Monday.
Lapite said, “She dressed up for school and she was told to go and pick up her water bottle. She just dropped dead,” he said.
He said her death would not affect the ongoing trial because the prosecutor had closed the case before her demise.
Lapite says “The next line of action is for the defence to open their case except we are able to link her death to his (suspect) actions.
“She already gave evidence. She is not a party parse when it comes to law. If you look at the case, it’s State or Commissioner of Police vs Defendant.
“So, the case will still go on even if she is not there.”
