
…six victims recognized thus far
…suspect denies allegations
The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan has confirmed the arrest of a Lagos hotelier, McDonald Okpara alleged to have defiled some teenage boys towards the order of nature.
Okpara was paraded earlier than journalists Wednesday afternoon by the zonal spokesperson, CSP Ayuba Umma, who confirmed that pictorial and video proof have been recovered by the investigating workforce and could be tendered alongside different reveals in court docket.
The Nation final week reported the arrest of Okpara, the proprietor of Empire Lodge in Ejigbo after a 16-year-old secondary faculty boy who went to the lodge for a TikTok video along with his buddies was allegedly lured and defiled by him.
This newspaper additionally reported the arrest of the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) at Isheri-Osun Division, Ejigbo, the place {the teenager}’s father filed a grievance after the sufferer confided in his mom concerning the defiment, for allegedly eradicating vital paperwork from the case file earlier than transferring the matter to a unit in Zone 2 on the occasion of the suspect.
Giving particulars on the press briefing, Umma stated that already, six victims allegedly defiled by the hotelier have been recognized by detectives, and their experiences/encounters documented.
Umma stated the zonal command intervened within the matter following a petition to the Assistant Inspector Common of Police (AIG) Adegoke Fayoade, dated January 23 by {the teenager}’s father, Christian Edozie.
She stated the person who wrote on behalf of his son, who was initially afraid to talk up as a consequence of threats by Okpara that he would run mad ought to he disclose what occurred to anybody.
“Upon receipt of the petition, the Assistant Inspector Common of Police assigned CSP Uba Bangajiya Adams to conduct a discreet investigation into the matter.
“The sufferer, initially scared of talking out as a consequence of threats allegedly made by the suspect, confided in his mom. He recounted that Opara Macdonald warned him that disclosing the incident would lead to his dropping his sanity.
“Reassured by his mom, the sufferer detailed how the suspect had taken him from the lodge in his car to his residence at 4B, Oshoba Avenue, Akowonjo-Egbeda, Lagos, the place he was forcefully subjected to illegal sexual acts.
“Following the incident, the suspect allegedly offered the sufferer with a bottle of Lucozade Enhance and a money sum of 5 Thousand Naira (₦5,000.00).
“Upon this revelation, the sufferer’s dad and mom reported the matter to the Isheri-Osun Police Division. Investigative actions have been initiated, however moderately than cooperating with legislation enforcement, the suspect refused to honour police invites and as a substitute tried to control the method.
“Searching for to evade justice, he escalated the matter to the Zone 2 Command Headquarters, the place he was subsequently apprehended.
“To determine the veracity of the claims, the sufferer underwent medical examination at Mirabel Medical Centre. Moreover, a detailed buddy of the sufferer, who was current on the lodge on the day of the incident, corroborated the allegations.
“This buddy confirmed that the suspect had been partaking in illegal acts with the sufferer and had additionally tried the same act with him, which he resisted.
He additional introduced recorded phone conversations, chat histories, and video proof filmed by the sufferer inside the suspect’s residence utilizing the suspect’s personal cellphone.
“Initially, the suspect denied figuring out the sufferer. Nonetheless, when confronted with proof, he admitted to taking the 16 12 months outdated boy to his residence.
Moreover, it is very important notice that the suspect allegedly threatened the sufferer with psychological hurt ought to he reveal the incident, and since making his confession, the sufferer has exhibited indicators of psychological misery.
“Investigations additionally uncovered unprofessional conduct by the preliminary Investigating Police Officer (IPO), who eliminated a key witness’ assertion from the case file earlier than transferring it to the Zone 2 Command Headquarters. The IPO has since been detained and is present process disciplinary procedures…”
Persevering with, Umma clarified that the medical report from Mirabel Centre which confirmed that {the teenager} had been abused was not doctored, including that it remained genuine and never tampered with.
“The sufferer is at present receiving medical care, and upon completion of investigations, the suspect will probably be formally charged in court docket.
“The Assistant Inspector Common of Police, Zone 2 Command, urges dad and mom and guardians to stay vigilant, intently monitor their kids’s actions, and supply steering to guard them from dangerous influences,” she added.
In the meantime, Okpara denied the allegations claiming he was pressured by the police to make his confessional assertion.
He initially claimed he didn’t know {the teenager} as he was resident in Belgium however later admitted he took him to his home however didn’t defile him.
He additionally denied having illegal canal data of the sufferer or some other teenager, claiming he was a fortunately married man with lovely kids.
His claims have been nonetheless punctured by {the teenager} who gave vivid account of what transpired and a transparent description of Okpara’s personal residence.
One other teenager who was additionally on the zonal headquarters stated the suspect had lured him by means of a classmate and molested him on two events.