By Ishaya Ibrahim
The ongoing trial of Benjamin who is being accused of defiling a 10-year-old girl, Damilola, in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, has been adjourned to 18th September 2018 because the exhibit keeper, a police officer, was absent in court.
The exhibit keeper, Woman Inspector Kehinde Mohammed, is said to be with the victim’s torn pant, which is a crucial evidence that would be used to prove the case against Benjamin.
The Investigative police officer of the case told the judge that the Exhibit Keeper told her that she went for an official assignment and would not be appearing before the court.
The investigative police officer who also testified before the presiding Judge, S O Solebo of Lagos Special Offenses Court, said: “On the 29th of August 2012,I was on duty at kpakode station, Ikorodu, Lagos when a case of defilement was reported by Yetunde Adewale against the defendant, Benjamin.
“It was referred to me for investigation. Immediately the matter was referred to me, I took the statement of Yetunde and the victim Damilola, age 10. The statement of the defendant was recorded in the English Language.
I visited the scene of both parties that is the defendant and the complainant. A medical paper was issued to the complainant to take the victim to the hospital for examination which I also went with them too. The victim’s pant was torn and was used as an evidence recovered. The torn pant was given to the exhibit keeper who is not in court today because of an official assignment,” Mohammed testified.
