Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja convicted and sentenced the driver on two amended counts of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration and indecent treatment of a child. The offences were committed in January 2023, when the victim was just three years old. The judge noted that no sentence could undo the harm inflicted on the victim, who continued to suffer the effects of the offence.
The convict was sentenced to 14 years on the first count and seven years on the second count, with the terms to run consecutively. The sentence commenced from January 7, 2023, when the convict was initially remanded in custody. Justice Oshodi also ordered the convict to be registered as a sex offender pursuant to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State 2021.
The prosecution presented six witnesses and several documentary exhibits during the trial. The first witness, Dr Oyetunde Olabode, a medical practitioner, testified that his examination of the child on January 9, 2023, revealed injuries to her labia minora and concluded that there had been recent penetration of her genitalia. The second witness, Sergeant Sunday Oladunjoye, stated that the convict admitted to inserting his finger into the child's vagina during investigation.
The child's mother, Mrs Ifeoma Ugwegbu, testified that she briefly left her daughter with the convict while she went to the backyard. When she returned, she saw her daughter sitting on the convict's lap. The child told her that the convict had put his finger in her genitalia. Mrs Ugwegbu examined the child's underwear and found blood on it, prompting her to report the matter to the police.
The now six-year-old victim gave brief evidence, stating that she did not know the convict. A development and behavioural practitioner, David Akinyemi, testified about the ability of young children to recall traumatic events. The convict had initially pleaded not guilty when arraigned on March 20, 2024, and testified as the sole defence witness during the trial.
The convict was initially charged with sexual assault of a minor and penetration by inserting his finger into the child's vagina. Justice Oshodi's judgment emphasized the severity of the offence and the impact on the victim. The court ordered the convict's registration as a sex offender, reflecting the seriousness of the crime.
The case highlights the importance of protecting children from sexual abuse and the consequences for perpetrators. The conviction and sentence demonstrate the commitment of the Lagos State justice system to holding offenders accountable for such heinous crimes. The victim's ordeal and the court's response underscore the need for continued efforts to prevent child abuse and ensure justice for victims.
Key points
- The convict was sentenced to 21 years in prison for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl.
- The judge ordered the convict's registration as a sex offender pursuant to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State 2021.
- The prosecution presented six witnesses and several documentary exhibits during the trial, leading to the convict's conviction.
