The Rivers State Police Command says it has resolved the matter involving a man identified as Mr James and a 17-year-old girl at the Rumuokwuta axis of Port Harcourt.
Member of a Human Rights Group, Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, Prince Wiro had in a statement said Mr. James arrested the underage girl for turning down his sex demands after giving her money.
However, when contacted by The Punch, spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Koko said the matter had been resolved after the state commissioner of police, invited both parties.
Prince Wiro’s statement read,
Man In PortHarcourt ‘Arrests’ 17 Year Old Girl With Police For Turning Down His Sex Demand After Dashing Her Money
Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign last Saturday received a call from residents at Bestman Estate,Rumukwuota,Obio/Akpor about a 17 year old girl who was arrested by Police Officers from Rumupeirikom(Kala) Police station in PortHarcourt based on compliant by one Mr. James who has being enticing and luring the minor for sex that she is owing him.
The said Mr James has being dashing the minor money without telling her his reason until recently he started demanding sex from the teenage girl who turned down his request.
Mr James demanded that she refund him 17,500 naira the total money he has dashed her but the teenager said it was dash and non refundable which prompted Mr James to effect her arrest.
After listening to both parties,the DPO of the station asked the 17 year old girl to go with her parents and warned Mr James seriously to stop harassing the girl based on her age.
Evidence Agwor Esq and Prince Wiro Rivers State Legal Adviser and National Coordinator respectively of Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign were in the station for the matter.
The Centre was demanding the detention and subsequent arraignment of the man for enticing and luring a minor but her family was of different view.
The law is clear,an underage boy or girl( below 18 years) does not have right of giving consent in a sexual relationship.
