The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the detention of an 18-year-old boy, Oghenetejiri Kosini, who allegedly sexually assaulted the two-year-old daughter of his landlady in Okpe Local Government Area. The incident occurred on 12th December 2024.
The mother of the child, who is also the landlady of the property, was reportedly outside when the suspect allegedly entered the house and committed the offence.
Following the incident, the boy was arrested and detained by the police.
However, a Delta State-based human rights activist, Comrade Israel Joe, alleged in a Facebook post on 6th January 2024, that the suspect was released on Christmas Eve without facing charges.
Joe criticised the Divisional Police Officer of Orerokpe and the Investigating Police Officer for alleged cover-up and mishandling of the case. He accused the IPO of attempting to settle the matter out of court and obstructing the investigation by refusing to provide the necessary forms for a medical examination.
Joe further alleged that the suspect was released despite the mother gathering all necessary documents, including medical reports, for prosecution.
He wrote: “Dear DPO Orerokpe, This two (2) years old child was allegedly brutally dęfíIęd by one eighteen (18) years old Oghenetejiri Kosini on the 12th of December, 2024.
“The mother of the child who is the landlady of the compound was busy outside when the said boy allegedly entered into the house to carry out this heinous act.
“However, he was arrested to your division and the IPO ended up begging the woman for settlement who wants justice for her daughter.
“In a quest to frustrate the investigations, the IPO also allegedly refused to give them a form to go for a medical check up at the general hospital with an excuse that the said boy did not deny and had put it down on his statement that he actually did it.
“Where on earth would the police condescend to a level of not carrying out proper investigation, holding to the confessional statement alone of a suspect that could be denied in court tomorrow, allowing for trial within trial, citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2023 where the suspect’s lawyer or person should be there when the statement is taken?
“It was further learnt that the said suspect was released on the 24th of December, 2024 against the provision of extant laws for which the mother went on to get all necessary documents including doctors’ reports, ready for prosecution.
“I wish to urge the police to, in the interest of justice re-arrest the said suspect and transfer same to the Delta State Command CIID for investigations and prosecution. Na beg I dey, because we all go soon dance nakęd for market square if justice is not done. Full video drops tomorrow.”
In response to these allegations, the Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed on Wednesday, 8th January, that the suspect was currently in police custody.
