Investigating Police Officer Inspector Elizabeth Osikolu, on Monday, told an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court how a housewife, Omolara Alashe, allegedly forced a 19-year-old lady to sleep with her husband, to bear a child.

Omolara and her husband, Ramoni Lateef, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, rape and sexual assault.

NAN reports that the defendants, pleaded not guilty.

The witness, while being led in evidence by the State Counsel, Mr Babajide Boye, told the court that the alleged incident happened sometime in 2022, in Lagos.

Osikolu told the court that the mother of the victim died while they were living at Ojota and the couple offered to accommodate her.

She told the court that the victim said the couple also allegedly abused her physically whenever she made mistakes while living with them.

According to the witness, the first defendant (Omolara) on a particular day, allegedly woke up the 19-year-old in the middle of the night, and stripped her naked while the second defendant (Ramoni) slept with her.

The IPO told the court that her investigation further revealed that the couple had a baby but died sometime in October 2022.

The witness said: “The first defendant has not been able to conceive again after the death of the child.

“So they decided to use the survivor to bear children for him to prevent the husband from getting married again.

“The girl said they were in the sitting room one day when the first defendant started beating her, stripped her naked and inserted her fingers in her vagina.

“After she beat the girl, she threw out her belongings, seized her ATM card, MTN line and the salary she was making at the time to deny her access to her money.”

While being cross-examined by defence counsel, Mr Lekan Egberongbe, the witness maintained that the girl was not lying.

According to her, the first defendant admits it in her statement.

The witness told the court that if the 19-year-old had consented to the sexual assault, she would not have reported it to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA.

“She would not have submitted herself for medical examination at Mirabel centre.

“The girl in question could not resist the man because she was intimidated by the wife,” Osikolu said.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to February 3, 2025 for continuation of trial.

The police in Anambra State have pledged to arrest the suspected killers of 22 people in Nibo and Ifite Awka communities in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

Nnaghe Itam, the commissioner of police in the state, made this known in Awka South on Monday when he led an anti-sit-at-home patrol team to the area for security assessment and advocacy.

The Ezinano Community in Awka South earlier announced a reward of N10 million to any individual or group who could help the police apprehend the suspected cultists and killers.

The incident, tagged Nibo/Ifite Awka massacre, witnessed the killing of over 15 people in Nibo on 20 October and seven others under similar circumstances on 25 October.

“The command is on the trail of some already mentioned suspects involved in the killings,” he said.

Mr Itam urged communities in Awka South to collaborate with the police and take responsibility for being their neighbour’s keeper.

He advised the executive council members, traditional rulers, and the presidents-general of the communities to continue to work with the police and other security agencies on the need to adopt sustainable policing practices.

Others include youth leaders, Anambra State Vigilantes operatives, and the Police-Community Relations Committee members.

According to the police commissioner, their cooperation will assist police in improving security surveillance and timely security interventions in the state.

The police commissioner also urged residents to report suspicious persons and unusual movements to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency phone number.

Responding, the Chairperson of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Okafor, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, pledged to work with the command and other security agencies to improve security and public safety.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Itam led the anti-sit-at-home patrol to the state’s Ogidi Divisional headquarters, Obosi Divisional headquarters, Okpoko Divisional headquarters, Harbour Divisional headquarters, and Awada Divisional headquarters.

By Francesca Hangeior

Gunmen on Monday launched an attack on the Police Rapid Response Squad facility at Owerrinta, located along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.

During the assault, a female detainee was fatally shot.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, said one suspect was arrested.

Isa stated, “On that day, there was an attack on our facility at Owerrinta shortly after midnight. The assailants arrived in about three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on our facility.”

“Our personnel repelled the attack. However, the assailants used dynamite to blow off our roof. In their attempt to release detainees, they opened fire, resulting in the tragic death of a female suspect.”

“Following the incident, we pursued the suspects using technical methods and successfully arrested one individual. The police are currently interrogating him to identify other accomplices. We are making progress.”

Unconfirmed reports suggest the female detainee killed during the attack had been detained in connection with a child trafficking case.