Man gets life sentence for defiling his eight-year-old daughter
The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday sentenced a 42-year-old man, Suleiman Usman, to life imprisonment for defiling his eight-year-old daughter.
Mr Usman was charged with a two-count bordering on defilement, which he pleaded not guilty to.
Justice Rahmon Oshodi, in his judgment, discharged and acquitted the defendant of the second charge.
Mr Oshodi held that the prosecution failed to prove the second charge against the defendant as the second victim did not testify in the trial.
“The testimony of the first survivor corroborates the evidence of the medical doctor.
“The survivor said she felt pain in her ‘bombom’ when her father put his finger in her vagina and also inserted his penis in her anus.
“I have considered the ingredients of the offences; the confessional statement, circumstantial evidence, and the eyewitness account, and I do not believe that the first survivor was tutored. I reiterated that her evidence was credible.
“Regardless, I have already received an eyewitness account, where the survivor said, ‘My daddy used to carry me every night from our room and put me in the parlour and put his penis in my ‘bombom’,’” Mr Oshodi said.
The judge further held that the prosecution provided evidence of a medical doctor who examined the survivor.
“The medical report showed redness in the vagina lips, the anus was loose and getting healed, and there was penetration in the survivor’s anus.
“I am convinced that the medical doctor’s evidence corroborates the survivor’s.
“The mother said the crime scene is their family parlour. I do not consider the defendant’s testimony as credible.
“I find the defendant guilty of count one, and he is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment,” Mr Oshodi said.
The state counsel, Inumidun Solarin, presented four witnesses; the first survivor, the eight-year-old girl, an Investigative Police Officer (IPO), the survivor’s mother, and the medical doctor from the Mirabel centre, while the defence called three witnesses during the trial.
The prosecutor said the convict committed the offence, which is contrary to section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, at No. 2 Bale St., Onisewo in Apapa, Lagos.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Focus on criminals, stop targeting journalists, CPJ tells Nigerian security agencies
She also pointed out harsh bail requirements imposed on journalists, describing Mr Ugagbe’s bail conditions as “utterly punitive.”
Education
Tinubu upgrades Nasarawa poly to university
Mr Onanuga said the approval followed a proposal by Senator Ahmed Aliyu, who represents the Nasarawa West Senatorial District.
Lagos
Lagos govt signs agreement to automate vehicle registration
Mr Osiyemi said the initiative would simplify and speed up vehicle registration by eliminating cumbersome processes.
States
Three rescued, one body recovered as building collapses in Kano
The PRO attributed the collapse to the use of poor and substandard building materials.
NationWide
FG calls for stronger African collaboration to combat illicit wealth, transnational corruption
Mr Fagbemi added that the recovery and transparent management of proceeds of crime remained a key pillar of the country’s anti-corruption policy.
Heading 2
FG reiterates commitment to ensuring safe return of Nigerians from South Africa
“The last evacuation flight, which is expected to bring home approximately 300 of our nationals, is expected to arrive in Nigeria next week,” Mr Ebienfa said.
