- According to him, the victim’s vulnerability made the case all the more unsettling, adding, “She’s someone that needs a guardian… someone that needs assistance.”
In Delta State, one Ezekiel Elijah has allegedly defiled a 13-year-old physically challenged girl.
The police in the State has since apprehended the suspect over the incident which happened at Aviara, Isoko area of the State.
The suspect was said to have lured the victim into his house where he committed the offense.
Edafe Bright, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, SP confirmed the incident and arrest of the suspect in a video posted on Sunday via X.
According to him, the victim’s vulnerability made the case all the more unsettling, adding, “She’s someone that needs a guardian… someone that needs assistance.”
“He deceived this girl, took her into his house, locked her inside, and sexually molested her,” Bright said during the suspect’s interrogation.
During questioning, Elijah claimed he was unaware of the victim’s age. However, SP Bright clarified that ignorance does not constitute a valid defense.
“Whether she agrees or not is immaterial… she has not gotten to that age where she can decide for herself,” the police spokesperson said.
According to Elijah’s statement to the police, he initially called out to two individuals passing by, and the victim later returned alone. The suspect, who hails from Adjara in the Isoko region, will be charged in court for defilement.
Bright stressed that cases of defilement are treated with utmost seriousness under the law.
“The offence of defilement is a very clear one. Provided she’s not of an age where she can give consent; consent is immaterial and will be treated as defilement,” he stated.
According to him, the case has been forwarded to the courts for further legal proceedings.
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