A Lagos-based lawyer was yesterday caught fondling a nine-year-old girl's breasts and private part in the premises of Tinubu Magistrate's Court, Lagos.
As stated by Vanguard, the victim, who just arrived Nigeria from England, followed her grandmother, who had a civil case in court and needed a lawyer. A court clerk was stated to have directed the girl’s grandma to the stated lawyer. The lawyer allegedly deceived the little girl to a deserted area around the court premises and fondled her.
It was however the cry of the little girl that attracted the grandmother, who on seeing her, asked her asked her happened. The little girl pointed at the lawyer, saying he fondled her breast and also touched her private part. Eye witnesses in the court premises made it known that the lawyer was seen walking around the court premises with the little girl and when he was asked who the girl was to him, he stated she was his daughter.
He was also alleged to have carried the girl on his laps and he gave his mobile phone to her to play with, while he was busy touching the girl’s sensitive parts. Another eyewitnesses stated it was when the girl started crying and went to report to her grandmother, who started slapping the lawyer that they got to know what happened.
The noise, which disrupted the court proceedings, brought the matter to Chief Magistrate K. B. Ayeye’s attention.
The little girl was stated to have told the Chief Magistrate what the lawyer did to her. The magistrate ordered that the lawyer be taken to Lion Building Police Station, Lagos Island, and when Vanguard visited the station, a police source stated that Assistant Commissioner of Police had taken over the matter and also confirmed the presence of the lawyer at the command.