A woman, Funmi Otitoloju has been arrested by Police in
Lagos State for allegedly torturing her 12-year-old niece identified simply as,
Adeola in Ikorodu area of the state. Otitoloju
allegedly used a razor blade to cut the girl in the neck and hand because she
entered other people’s apartments without her permission.
A neighour had reported to Otitoloju that the victim,
who was rushed to the hospital after the incident stole from her room. When the
neighbour was queried on what the 12-year-old stole, she could not answer.
Otitoloju reportedly punished her niece after her landlady
also came to report that the girl sneaked into her apartment. It was gathered
that the girl was cut with a razor blade on that morning.
Trouble started for Otitoloju when the hospital refused to
treat Adeola insisting on a police report. A worker with the Child Protection
Network in the Ikorodu area was said to have been invited and the worker
reported the matter at the Ikorodu Police Division.
The police, thereafter, arrested Otitoloju, while the victim
was treated at the hospital. Adeola, who is a primary 3 pupil, had been taken
into government’s custody.
The police on Monday arraigned Otitoloju on two counts
bordering on child abuse at the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, Ikorodu.
The charges read, "That you, Funmi Otitoloju, on June 9, at
about 6.30am on Sambi Street, Off Macaulay area, off Baiyeku Road, in the
Ikorodu Magisterial District, did assault one Adeola, 12 years old, with a
razor blade on her right hand and neck, causing her bodily harm, and thereby
committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 171 of the
Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
"That you, Funmi Otitoloju, on the same date, time and place
in the aforementioned magisterial district, did unlawfully and indecently deal
with a child, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 135 of the
Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011."
The accused pleaded guilty to the charges. The razor blade
was presented as an exhibit in court.
The Magistrate, Mrs. A.A. Oshoniyi, sentenced
Otitoloju to four years’ imprisonment with no option of fine.
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