Eben Enasco Reporting.
The Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, says they have arrested one Michael Ogungbemi a suspected Pedophile over an allegation of defilement of his step daughter and her friend.
The recent development was confirmed by the Corps Deputy Commander, Richard Balogun, who stated that the suspect was arrested following a tip off.
According to Balogun, the incident happened at Ogbegun, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area.
The two girls are said to be 13 years old. The suspect was alleged to have raped the victims severally before his arrest by operatives of the Corps.
Balogun disclosed that the victim, a Junior Secondary School pupil and his step daughter revealed that the suspect had carnal knowledge of her, threatening that she will face dire consequences if she reveals the act to anybody.
He also revealed that the suspect, after defiling his step daughter, encouraged her to bring her friend, a JSS I student and a minor, to the home and in the process also defiled her after three attempts.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the bubble bust when the JSS I student suddenly took ill in the school where her female teacher, who noticed her condition, quickly informed her parents.
Subsequently, the parents who rushed her to the hospital for treatment, suddenly discovered that she had contracted infection following the doctor’s examination.
Urged to confess, the minor disclosed that the suspect has been having canal knowledge of her and his step daughter.
The parents were said to have immediately contacted the Corps and the suspect was promptly arrested.
The suspect who confessed to the crime blamed his action on the devil and has been handed over to police for onward prosecution.
It should be noted that defilement of a teenager, a person under 18, is a serious criminal offense in Nigeria, with recent legislative moves strengthening the stance towards severe, life-altering penalties.
The law in Nigeria prohibits sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 18, and any sexual involvement with a minor is considered sexual abuse or defilement, as minors are deemed incapable of consenting.
Key aspects of the legal position include: Life Imprisonment
The Nigerian Senate in 2025 passed amendments to the Criminal Code Act that mandate life imprisonment for any person convicted of defiling a minor person under 18, removing the option of fines.
Under the Child Rights Act and reinforced by the proposed 2025 amendments, a child is anyone under the age of 18, regardless of gender.
Historically, defilement under Section 218 of the Criminal Code Act, primarily focused on girls under 13, but modern amendments and state-level laws such as in Lagos have widened this to include anyone under 18.
The law strictly states that a person under 18 cannot provide legal consent for sexual intercourse, meaning that even if the minor “loves” the offender or consents to the act, it is still classified as sexual molestation.
Recent legislative discussions have emphasized that the law should protect all children, including boys, from sexual violence, with the new penalties applying to all genders.