The Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 46-year-old Managing Director of Leuven Empire Hotel and Suites, Macdonald Opara, for allegedly sodomising a 16-year-old boy.
The Zone’s spokesperson, Ayuba Umma, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday said, the victim’s father (name withheld) submitted a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police on January 23, 2025, alleging that Opara engaged in unlawful sexual acts with his son.
She said the victim reportedly confided in his mother after Opara threatened him with psychological harm if he disclosed the incident.
According to her, investigations revealed that Opara took the victim from the hotel to his residence, where he was forcefully subjected to unlawful sexual acts. The suspect allegedly provided the victim with a bottle of Lucozade Boost and N5,000 after the incident.
She said, “This development follows a petition dated January 23, 2025, submitted to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, by one Edozie Christian ‘m’ of Isheri-Osun, Lagos, on behalf of his 16-year-old son. The petition alleged that the suspect, Macdonald Opara, engaged in unlawful sexual acts with the minor.
“Upon receipt of the petition, the Assistant Inspector General of Police assigned CSP UbaBangajiya Adams to conduct a discreet investigation into the matter. The victim, initially fearful of speaking out due to threats allegedly made by the suspect, confided in his mother.
“He recounted that Opara Macdonald warned him that disclosing the incident would result in his losing his sanity. Reassured by his mother, the victim detailed how the suspect had taken him from the hotel in his vehicle to his residence at No. 4B, Oshoba Street, Akowonjo-Egbeda, Lagos, where he was forcefully subjected to unlawful sexual acts. Following the incident, the suspect allegedly provided the victim with a bottle of Lucozade Boost and a cash sum of N5,000.
“Upon this revelation, the victim’s parents reported the matter to the Isheri-Osun Police Division. Investigative actions were initiated, but rather than cooperate with law enforcement, the suspect refused to honour police invitations and instead attempted to manipulate the process. Seeking to evade justice, he escalated the matter to the Zone 2 Command Headquarters, where he was subsequently apprehended.
Ayuba further stated that the victim underwent a medical examination at Mirabel Medical Centre, adding that a close friend of the victim, who was present at the hotel on the day of the incident, corroborated the allegations.
She said the friend confirmed that the suspect had been engaging in unlawful acts with the victim and had also attempted a similar act with him, which he resisted.
According to the image maker, the police had gathered evidence, including recorded telephone conversations, chat histories, and video evidence filmed by the victim within Opara’s residence. Initially, Opara denied knowing the victim but later admitted to taking the minor to his residence.
“Furthermore, it is important to note that the suspect allegedly threatened the victim with psychological harm should he reveal the incident, and since making his confession, the victim has exhibited signs of mental distress.
“Investigations also uncovered unprofessional conduct by the initial Investigating Police Officer, who removed a key witness’ statement from the case file before transferring it to the Zone 2 Command Headquarters. The IPO has since been detained and is undergoing disciplinary procedures,” Ayuba added.
She also clarified that the medical report from the Mirabel Medical Centre remained authentic and had not been tampered with in any way, stressing that the victim is currently receiving medical care, and upon completion of investigations, the suspect would be formally charged in court.
The suspect, who was paraded during the briefing, alleged that his competitors were after him.
He however confirmed to have met the victim before, admitting, “I have met with the boy. He comes to do TikTok videos at my place. I gave him money because he is not the only one I have given money in life. I gave him money for swimming. There are competitors in the hotel business and the hoteliers around me want me to go down by all means because I have most of the customers. I never did unless the judge convicts me of that. What I want the authorities to do is to take a DNA of me because the guy in question takes drugs.”
On his part, the victim, who was also present during the briefing, said his friend, one Balogun, introduced the man to him adding that the hotelier sodomised him twice.
He said, “My friend told me that there was an update and that the person was going to give me money. He now sent me the man’s number and told me what I should tell the man. He was sending it to me and he asked me to copy and paste. Then, the man told me that I should meet him the next day at the BBQ Arena junction.
“Then, my friend, Balogun, said when the man gives the money, we would share it. When I met the man, he took me to his house and locked the door and the thing that occurred between us occurred and then he gave me N5000. Then, I told Balogun that the man gave me 5000 and that the money was not enough for us to share. I even said I did not know this was what he asked me to do. The man sodomised me twice on October 31 and November 1 in his house at Egbeda.”
