Court Dismisses Assault Charges Against Minor After Complainant, A Sex Worker, Withdraws Interest

Chief Magistrate Patrick Adekunmagba ruled to strike out the charge after it became clear that the complainant had lost interest in the case. The minor had been accused of stabbing the sex worker in the face during an incident that allegedly took place in April 2024 at the Regional Hotel, Iyanu-Isashi, Badagry.

Defense counsel Ademola Adebayo explained that the minor, employed at the hotel, was allegedly enticed by the sex worker during a celebration with colleagues. Adebayo described how the sex worker, who was known to frequent the hotel, approached the minor and engaged in a sexual encounter that led to a dispute over payment.

According to Adebayo, the argument escalated when the sex worker tried to charge more than the minor could afford, resulting in her grabbing a knife. In the ensuing struggle, the minor was said to have punched her in self-defense. Hotel security intervened, and the minor was handed over to the police.

Adebayo criticized the police for allegedly misrepresenting the incident, claiming that they initially suggested the minor had used the knife to stab the complainant. A medical examination later revealed only traces of the knife on the minor’s neck.

The defense counsel also alleged that the complainant was pressured by police officers to demand N500,000 from the minor’s family to avoid legal action. The amount was later reduced to N100,000, which was paid, but the complainant subsequently disappeared, leading to the case being dismissed by the court.