A pedophile in court for impregnating step-daughter

Amid increased incidences of child abuse and domestic violence related cases, an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Thursday, heard how a father, Adewunmi Ajayi, allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with his underage step-daughter.

An Investigating Police Officer, Aderinto Foluke, stated this while she gave evidence before Justice Abiola Soladoye.

The IPO with AP No. 287997 attached to the Human Rights Unit of the Nigeria Police testified in the ongoing trial of a couple, Adewunmi, who is married to the survivor’s mother, Mrs Idowu.

­­­The woman inspector told the judge the outcome of the police investigation into the alleged sexual assault.

She said, “We concluded that Mr Adewunmi has been sleeping with the survivor since 2019.”

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 the 15-year-old survivor and a referral letter from Alausa.

She stated that the survivor’s stepfather had been having carnal knowledge of the minor and in the process, and had impregnated her twice which her mother aborted.

Ogunwemimo claimed the survivor also revealed that she was pregnant with her stepfather for the third time and confided in her teacher because of her mother whom she claimed would abort the pregnancy 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, Idowu, the second defendant, went to the police where they wrote statements.

The prosecution witness also said, “The survivor 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 girl said she wanted to further her education, that 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 but did not visit the crime scene or the hospital.

She maintained that the survivor told the police that something was put in her tea.

She also claimed she spoke with the survivor’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.