Carpenter escapes from police custody, rearrested

For escaping from lawful custody, a 37-year old man, Abdullah Oseni, who allegedly assaulted a minor by attempting to defile her was on Wednesday charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Oseni, a carpenter, who lives at 23, Aishatte St., Agege, suburb of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of attempt to commit sexual assault and escape from custody.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the offences were committed on May 19 at the residence of the accused.

Aigbokhan said that the accused locked the victim, a two-year-old neighbour’s daughter, in his room and was fingering her when her mother caught him.

“The accused was arrested, but he ran away from police custody,” he said.

He said that the accused was re-arrested from his hideout by the police.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 106 and 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, granted the accused N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

Elias ordered the accused to deposit N50,000 into the Chief Registrar’s account and adjourned the case till June 22 for mention.