Confusion As Man Who ‘Defiled His Niece’ Absconds From Court During Trial

According to SahahaReporters, there was confusion at the Ikeja Domestic Violence and S*xual Offences Court on Monday as Abiodun Akinpelu, accused of defiling his five-year-old niece, absconded before he was scheduled for arraignment.

The suspect, an architect, had arrived the courtroom to take his plea on two counts of indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault by penetration. However, when his case was announced, the suspect told the court that his lawyer was on his way to court.

Justice Abiola Soladoye, the presiding judge, stood down the case to enable the defence counsel get to court.

When the case was called the second time, Akinpelu had disappeared from the court premises.

Speaking on the development, Mrs. Arinola Momoh-Ayokanbi, the lead state prosecutor, told the court: “The defendant was in court earlier this morning, I noticed he stepped out of the courtroom immediately he left the dock. Now that he has absconded, I humbly request for a bench youwarrant. Five witnesses are to testify in this matter and three of the witnesses are present in court.”

Justice Soladoye issued a bench warrant for Akinpelu’s arrest and adjourned the case till May 7 for arraignment.

According to the charge sheet made available to journalists, Akinpelu committed the offences between January 2016 and September 2017 at his home located at 29, Mayowa Street, Orelope, Egbeda, Lagos.

According to the charge, the offences contravene Sections 135 and 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.