17th November, 2016
A 40-year-old painter, Yisa Aweda, on Thursday was caught at his residence in Orile Area of Lagos having sexual intercourse with a two-year-old girl child (name withheld).
The Coordinator, Lagos State Domestic Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Adeniyi said that the crime was initially reported at Orile Police Station where the father of the victim was also reported to have hit the rapist with a broken bottle when he caught him in the act.
“On Nov. 16, the victim’s mother found Yisa Aweda having sexual intercourse with her daughter in her living room and immediately shouted for help.
“This attracted other neighbours and her husband who came in and in anger took a broken bottle to cause serious injury on the perpetrator.
“The matter was immediately reported to Orile Police station, while the perpetrator was taken to the hospital for medical attention.
“The father of the girl was also arrested and detained.
“On Nov.14, Mirabel Centre carried out a test on the victim, which confirmed a penetration but the result has been sent to the Police Station for proper prosecution.
“The matter was reported to the office of DSVRT on Nov.15. We visited the Police station to know the steps taken by the Police and we also visited the perpetrator in the hospital, ‘’ she said.
According to her, the report of the detained husband will be looked into by the Divisional Police Officer to either release the man on bail, pending when the perpetrator will be discharged.
Adeniyi said the case would be filed to court, considering the evidence available, adding that the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) had been briefed on the matter.
“In view of this fact, the rights of the child need to be adequately safeguarded and the father of the victim will be legally represented, she said.
Adeniyi said that the perpetrator- Aweda – was married to the family of the victim and they had since been pleading that the matter should not be taken to court.
“Today, the family members came to appeal that the matter be settled out of court. DSVRT has been informed about the case and the state would ensure diligent prosecution.
“We hope the suspect recovers quickly to stand trial in the court for the offence he was alleged to have committed and we urge the public to desist from such act,’’ she said.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode has urged the Lagos State Task Force Unit to track down offenders of domestic violence and rape cases to serve as deterrent to others.