Police Arraign Teenager For Alleged Sodomy

Ondo State Police Command has arraigned a 17-year-old boy at a Juvenile Court in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The suspect, a pupil of St Joseph’s College, Ondo was accused of sodomising the eight-year-old son of a journalist.

Police spokesman Femi Joseph confirmed the arraignment while giving an update on the case.

He, however, did not give details of the charges, saying it was a case involving a minor, which was not always given public hearing.


Joseph said the arraignment was in fulfilment of the police’s promise to ensure justice.

He said: “The case has been filed with the presiding magistrate, who will get facts before knowing the charges to be preferred against Olamilekan. I am sure hearing will begin at the next adjourned date. It’s no longer in our hands.”

Betty Abah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CEE Hope, the non-government organisation that took up the case following a report by the victim’s father, Lanre Duyile, said the move was a relief to get justice for the victim.

She said: “The arrest and arraignment of the suspect by the police following our outcry and that of the public are commendable.

“The police have lived up to their expectation that they can be responsive and protect people.”

Abah advised the victim’s parents to resist pressure to withdraw the case.

Said she: “I’m aware that pressure is being mounted on the boy’s father by powerful individuals to withdraw the case. They should leave him alone. At a point, he ran away from home to live in a church, for fear of insecurity.

“Enough is enough. People, no matter how powerful, should be told that there are limits to their impunity, especially in a country and state governed by law and order.”

Abah urged the government, thorough the Ministry of Women Affairs, House of Assembly and other stakeholders to step in and ensure justice is done.