- The police said the 65-year-old suspect was believed to be the leader of a church in the community.
- The family of the survivor told the police that the clergyman was said to have lured the minor into his apartment at some point and had carnal knowledge of her.
A pastor named Timothy Adedibu was detained by the Ogun State Police Command over alleged defiling a nine-year-old girl in Magboro, the state’s Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
It was learnt on Sunday that the incident happened on February 15 after the uncle of the survivor raised the alarm over the incident.
The 65-year-old suspect is thought to be the local church’s leader, according to the police.
The minor’s family reported to the police that the clergyman had allegedly once enticed her into his apartment and had intimate knowledge of her.
The state police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, who spoke with PUNCH Online on Sunday, confirmed the incident and noted that the investigation was ongoing.
She said, “The pastor has been arrested. The family was issued forms to allow the survivor to have a medical examination and treatment. All the parties will be transferred to the headquarters for further investigation.”
Similarly, the command has arrested another suspect identified as Prince Dara for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in Abolaniyi Street, Idorawa, via Idi-Oke in the state.
The command told PUNCH Online on Saturday that the incident happened on February 8, 2024.
The police said the survivor, identified simply as Odede, accused the suspect of luring her into his house on February 7 after he had seized her bag that contained her mobile phone and other personal effects.
The police added that the suspect threatened the survivor with a knife and raped her multiple times before he finally freed her.
Speaking about the incident, Odutola said the surveillance teams were immediately mobilised to the scene, adding that the ”entire area was combed for useful information, and the suspect was apprehended and brought to the station for questioning.
“The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. The case file and parties involved will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Abeokuta for discreet investigation.”
Defilement is one of the sexual offences under Nigerian criminal law.
While reacting to the incident of defilement, a legal practitioner and human rights lawyer, Collins Aigbogun, stated in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Online that anyone found guilty of the crime risked life imprisonment.
He said, “The issue of defilement is not an issue of the Constitution. It is an issue of criminal jurisprudence.
“For defilement of any girl under the age of 13, the person is guilty of a felony and is liable for imprisonment for life. Ogun and Lagos states shared the similarities.”