The police in Lagos State have arrested a woman, Funmi Otitoloju, for allegedly brutalising her 12-year-old niece identified only as Adeola, in the Baiyeku community of Ikorodu.

Punch learnt that Otitoloju allegedly used a razor blade to cut the girl in the neck and hand because she entered other people’s apartments without her permission.

The incident occurred on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at about 6am, after which a Good Samaritan rushed the victim to a general hospital.
It was learnt that a neighour had reported to Otitoloju that the victim stole from her room but when the neighbour was queried on what the 12-year-old stole, she could not answer.

Otitoloju reportedly punished her niece after her landlady also came to report that the girl sneaked into her apartment.

It was gathered that the girl was cut with a razor blade on that morning.

The hospital she was rushed to refused to treat Adeola insisting on a police report.

A worker with the Child Protection Network in the Ikorodu area was said to have been invited and the worker reported the matter at the Ikorodu Police Division.

The police, thereafter, arrested Otitoloju, while the victim was treated at the hospital.

Our correspondent learnt that Adeola, who is a primary 3 pupil, had been taken into government’s custody.

The police on Monday arraigned Otitoloju on two counts bordering on child abuse at the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, Ikorodu.

The charges read, “That you, Funmi Otitoloju, on June 9, at about 6.30am on Sambi Street, Off Macaulay area, off Baiyeku Road, in the Ikorodu Magisterial District, did assault one Adeola, 12 years old, with a razor blade on her right hand and neck, causing her bodily harm, and thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

“That you, Funmi Otitoloju, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did unlawfully and indecently deal with a child, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges.

The razor blade was presented as an exhibit in court.

The Magistrate, Mrs. A.A. Oshoniyi, sentenced Otitoloju to four years’ imprisonment with no option of fine.