- Soladoye railed against the continued detention of Nkocha at the correctional centre due to the non-presentation of witnesses by the prosecution
One Tony Nkocha has regained his freedom after four years in detention over allegation of defilement in Lagos state.
Nkocha, a security guard, was accused of defiling a nine-year-old girl (name withheld).
However, an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court exonerated and discharged Nkocha of the one-count charge of defilement preferred against him by the Lagos State Government
The presiding Judge, Justice Abiola Soladoye, freed the accused due to the lack of diligent prosecution by the state.
Soladoye railed against the continued detention of Nkocha at the correctional centre due to the non-presentation of witnesses by the prosecution, saying the court would not be used as a tool of oppression.
According to her, “Whoever brought him to court must be here to testify against him.
“Justice is for all, for the defendant, victim and the general public at large.
“No one will use this court to suffer anybody.”
The judge thereafter struck out the case and stated that the prosecution was at liberty to re-arrest Nkocha whenever the witnesses were ready.
“This case is struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.
“However, the prosecution is at liberty to re-arrest the defendant when the witnesses are ready.
“The prosecution must also put their house in order, for justice delayed is justice denied,” she said.
Earlier, the defense counsel, Mrs Scholastica Nwogu, had prayed the court to strike out the case for want of diligent prosecution.
Nwogu said that the case had come up 13 times with no witness showing up.
“I humbly urge this court to strike out the case for want of diligent prosecution because this case has come up 13 times with no witnesses from the prosecution.
“The defendant has been in custody since 2020,” she said.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offense contravenes the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.