Lagos High Court Orders Commissioner of Police to Investigate Police Rape of a Minor!

Lagos High Court- Ikeja Judicial Division yesterday 25^th March 2015, made an order of mandamus compelling the Commissioner of Police to carry out an in-depth investigation against the multiple rape of “Miss E” (minor).

This information is contained in press release from the Legal Defence and Advocacy Project (LEDAP), dated 26 March 2015.

LEDAP on 1^st March 2013 filed a suit before Honourable Justice Dabiri of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja Division against the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and Attorney –General of Lagos State for an order of mandamus compelling the Respondents to carry out an in-depth investigation and bring criminal charges against the rape of “Miss E” by one Mr Prince and Inspector Ajayi (station officer) of Isheri Police Station, Lagos State.

The survivor, “Miss E” (minor) was raped by a man popularly known as Prince who lured her from the street into his apartment in Isheri. The incident was reported by her father to Isheri Police Station and assigned to Inspector Ajayi.

Inspector Ajayi who rather than investigate the rape of the minor, raped the poor girl in his office at Isheri Police station. LEDAP through her Counsel, Mr Chinonye Obiagwu wrote several petitions to Commissioner of Police but the police refused to initiate any criminal charges against the perpetrators hence his application to court.

In the ruling which came after two years of litigation, Honourable Justice Dabiri of Lagos High Court, Ikeja made an order of mandamus compelling the Commissioner of Police, Lagos state to carry out in-depth investigation against the multiple rape of Miss E (Minor) by Mr. Prince, and Inspector Ajayi (station officer) of Isheri Police Station, Lagos State Police Command and to take the necessary disciplinary measures against him (if found indicted) under the Police Act, Police Regulations and other relevant laws.

LEDAP has therefore called on the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, to immediately comply with the order of the Honorable Court in the interest of justice and adherence to the rule of law.