A 78-year-old woman raped to death in Lagos, says police

An Investigative Police Officer (IPO), ASP Babatunde Ashifat, on Tuesday told an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court how one Jelili Lawal allegedly raped a 78-year-old woman to death.

The testimony came as part of the trial of Lawal, who stands accused of this heinous crime. Ashifat was called as a witness by the Lagos State counsel, Ms. Bukola Okeowo, to shed light on the case. According to Ashifat, he was assigned to investigate the incident on January 2, 2019.

The witness recounted that on the fateful day, two women came across Lawal sexually assaulting the elderly woman, who was in her seventies. They promptly alerted a police officer on night patrol.

Ashifat’s testimony further unraveled the events leading to the tragic incident. The elderly woman had been in the company of the defendant on January 1, 2019, at Maryland Bus Stop in Lagos State.

During a recent court hearing at the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Investigative Police Officer (IPO) ASP Babatunde Ashifat revealed the distressing details surrounding the alleged rape and subsequent death of a 78-year-old woman by a man named Jelili Lawal.

The testimony came as part of the trial of Lawal, who stands accused of this heinous crime. Ashifat was called as a witness by the Lagos State counsel, Ms. Bukola Okeowo, to shed light on the case. According to Ashifat, he was assigned to investigate the incident on January 2, 2019.

The witness recounted that on the fateful day, two women came across Lawal sexually assaulting the elderly woman, who was in her seventies. They promptly alerted a police officer on night patrol.

Ashifat’s testimony further unraveled the events leading to the tragic incident. The elderly woman had been in the company of the defendant on January 1, 2019, at Maryland Bus Stop in Lagos State.

She had requested Lawal’s help to find her way back home. Lawal provided her with N500, and they both boarded the same bus. However, at a later bus stop, Lawal led her to an uncompleted building in a remote area, where he allegedly assaulted and raped her under the cover of darkness.

The victim’s cries for help reached the ears of the two observant women, who took swift action by notifying the patrolling police officer. Their intervention was crucial in preventing further harm to the elderly woman.

Ashifat informed the court that the victim, who had pre-existing ear problems, had been reported missing by her family. The brutal attack had left her with severe injuries, resulting in profuse bleeding.

“The victim was bleeding from her anus and vagina, and I gave a medical form for her to be taken to the Mirabel Medical Centre. The medical doctor, who examined her, confirmed that there was a forceful penetration into her vagina. I was later told that the victim died due to the bleeding,” the IPO explained.

In the course of the investigation, Ashifat recorded statements from both the victim and the defendant. He also visited the crime scene, which was described as a secluded, overgrown area.

The case is now adjourned until October 27 for the continuation of the trial, as presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi.