The Ogun State Police Command claimed it detained a pastor named Timothy Adedibu for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old child in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
Platinum Times learned on Sunday that the incident occurred on February 15, when the survivor’s uncle raised the alarm about it.
According to authorities, the 65-year-old suspect was the leader of a local church.
The survivor’s relatives told the authorities that the cleric allegedly brought the minor into his apartment at some point and had sexual knowledge of her.
Omolola Odutola, the state police spokesperson, confirmed the event to this media on Sunday and stated that the investigation was underway.
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.”