Barber Charge to Court for Sexually Harrasing Neighbour’s Wife

A 31-year-old barber, Olalekan Oyekan, has been accused of sexually assaulting his neighbour’s wife, Mrs Wilson.

The incident happened at Oluwaseun Street, Ikotun area of Lagos State. It was learnt that the defendant operated a barber’s shop in front of the victim’s house.

On the fateful day, the victim’s husband was said to have dropped his phone with Oyekan for charging and forgot to take it.

It was gathered that the suspect, under the guise of returning the phone, entered the Wilson’s apartment and saw the victim sleeping. She was said to be ill.

He allegedly turned off the light and laid beside her, feigning to be her spouse.

Oyekan was said to be in the process of having carnal knowledge of the 24-year-old when she suspected it wasn’t her husband and raised the alarm.

The suspect was thereafter arrested and arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s court on one count of sexual assault.

The charge reads, “That you, Olalekan Oyekan, on April 5, 2014, at about 6.30pm, at 9, Oluwaseun Street, off Ayanwale Road, Ikotun Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did sexually touch one (name withheld), aged 24 years, without her consent and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

He pleaded not guilty and elected summary trial.

His defence counsel, Imelda Adebambo, asked for his bail in liberal terms.

However, the police prosecutor, Ishola Samuel, opposed the application for bail, adding that

the charge before the court was ridden with errors.

Samuel said, “We will be objecting to the bail of the defendant. This is because by the next adjournment we will be substituting the charge. There are typographical errors in the charge sheet and we want to let this court know that this is not just about sexual touches, it is a complete case of rape.”

The defence counsel while filing a counter application insisted that the offence was bailable and that the defendant had no criminal record to be denied bail.

“In fact, your Honour, there is a letter of withdrawal which is pending before this court. The complainant has written to withdraw the case,” she added.

The magistrate, M.O. Tanimola, upheld the bail application of the defence counsel and granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till May 12, 2014 for mention.