An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has heard how a man, Adewunmi Ajayi allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with his 15-year-old stepdaughter.
The unlawful sexual assault which began in 2019 resulted in multiple pregnancies and abortions.
An Investigating Police Officer, Aderinto Foluke, who made this known while giving evidence before Justice Abiola Soladoye, said the suspect impregnated the minor for the third time.
The IPO with AP No. 287997 attached to the Human Rights Unit of the Nigeria Police testified in the ongoing trial of a couple, Mr. Adewunmi, who is married to the minor’s mother, Idowu Ajayi
The female inspector told the judge the outcome of the police investigation into the alleged sexual assault.
“We concluded that Mr. Adewunmi has been sleeping with the minor since 2019,” she said.
The prosecution witness, led by State Prosecution Counsel Abibat Ogunwemimo, told the court that the incident was reported to the Adeniji Adele Police Station, Lagos Island, by a teacher who came with a 15-year-old minor and a referral letter from Alausa.
She further stated that the minor’s stepfather had been having carnal knowledge with the minor and in the process, the minor had two pregnancies, which her mother aborted. She claimed the victim also told them she was pregnant for her stepfather for the third time.
She said the minor said she was afraid, so she confided in her teacher because of her mother who she claimed would abort for her again.
The IPO said trouble started for the couple in 2021 when they were arrested by the police.
Following the arrest of the first defendant, Ajayi, his wife, Mrs Idowu Ajayi, the second defendant, went to the police where they wrote statements
“The victim also said she did not notice that her stepfather used to put drugs in her tea until the day her sister saw left-over particles in the cup,” the prosecution witness also said.
The IPO said the minor complained to her grandmother, who in turn, talked to her mother.
She said the mother denied it when she was told but took her daughter to hospital when she complained of stomach pain.
“The girl said she wanted to further her education, which is why she reported to her teacher.
“We gave her a referral paper and when the result came she was pregnant. We found out that the mother had taken her for abortions two times.
Under cross-examination by the Defence Counsel Emmanuel Uwadoka, the IPO said she investigated the matter.
She however said she didn’t visit the crime scene nor the hospital.
Uwadoka maintained that the victim told the police that something was put in her tea.
She also claimed she spoke with the minor’s grandmother over the phone during her investigation.
Two statements, a medical referral letter and a medical result were admitted as exhibits by the court. Justice Soladoye adjourned the matter till May 28 for continuation of trial.
