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Court frees girl who killed father’s friend for attempting to rape her

David Adenekan
David Adenekan
Teenager gets six-month jail term for attempting to rape 35-year-old
Gavel

The 16 years old girl accused of killing her father’s friend, Babatunde Ishola, who allegedly attempted to rape her has been set free by the Lagos Magistrates Court sitting in Yaba.

The girl who was represented by the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, OPD, throughout the court process was discharged and acquitted of the murder charge against her.

The court gave the verdict on Wednesday, saying that the case of murder could not be established against her.

In her judgement, Magistrate Philip Ojo, said that after considering the facts, it was duly decided that there were insufficient facts to establish a prima facie case of murder against the suspect contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law, Cap. C17, Vol.3 Laws of Lagos State.

According to the court, the required ingredients to prove the offence of murder against her were lacking.

In addition, the court said it was not clear that she had the intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm to the deceased.

She was therefore released by the court based on legal advice of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution.

The SSS 3 student was arrested by the police on March 7, 2020 over the case.

She explained that the deceased attempted to rape her when she was helping him to fetch water.

She was charged for murder and remanded at the Correctional Home for Girls, Idi-Araba, and the case was adjourned for legal advice of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Director, Lagos OPD, Babajide Martins, expressed satisfaction with the court’s judgement.

He urged anyone who must have suffered any form of rights violation to visit any of the offices of OPD nearest to them to seek legal help.

The parents of the girl were also excited and thanked government and the ODP for the assistance.

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