Court Acquits Teenage Girl Who Murdered Her Father’s Friend Over Rape Attempt

A Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos State has acquitted a 16-year-old girl, named Timilehin Taiwo who was charged for murdering a man who attempted to rape her.

The deceased, Babatunde who was a security guard died after he was stabbed by Taiwo at Aboru area of the state, on Saturday, March 7th.

According to the police statement written by the defendant, on the day of the incident, the teenage girl was invited by Babatunde who is her father’s friend to his house, to assist him in fetching water as was a practice for her since he was living alone.

While she was helping the deceased on that day, he attempted to rape her and in an attempt to defend herself, she picked up a knife and stabbed him, leading to his death.

The Police, following the tragic incident, charged Taiwo to court for the murder of the deceased.

At the hearing of the case on Wednesday, the magistrate, Philip Adebowale Ojo struck out the murder charge filed by the police against her, upon advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) who stood as the defense counsel on pro bono.

Dr. Babajide Martins, the Director, Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD), whose office defended the teenager, at the end expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.