The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has lauded the sentencing of a man, Richard Saviour, to life imprisonment for defiling his wife’s 14-year-old niece.

The agency commended the conviction and sentencing of Saviour in a statement it posted on its verified X handle @LSdsva on Wednesday.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, on Tuesday sentenced Saviour for defiling his wife’s 14-year-old niece and infecting her with HIV.

Ms Ogala said his name would be registered in the Sexual Offenders Register.

The judge said the victim’s evidence was corroborated by the investigating police officer and social worker from the Ministry of Youth and Social Welfare.

According to her, this establishes the offence of defilement against the convict.

She said, “The testimony before the court depicts the ‘evil’ perpetrated on this young girl and how she was abused both mentally and physically by the defendant and his wife for years.

“Revealing how she indeed ‘cried out’ for help and was betrayed by those who were supposed to help and support her.

“Having carefully considered the entirety of facts before the court, it finds that in this instance, the prosecution has satisfactorily proved the one count information the defendant stands faced with.”

Ms Ogala said the mien of the defendant was desperate to distance himself from the allegation by denying the offences.

The judge said when the police took the victim to the Mirabel Centre, she was tested and found to be HIV positive.

According to her, the survivor was transferred to Mary’s Home Orphanage and looked after with the help of Positive Action for Treatment Access, a non-governmental organisation.

The judge, hence, convicted the defendant on the charge of defilement by unlawful sexual assault and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

DSVA said justice had been served after the court found the defendant guilty of the offence and was consequently sentenced.

The agency reiterated Lagos’ zero-tolerance stance while restating its commitment to helping survivors of sexual offences and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.

It urged Lagos residents to continue to break the culture of silence by reporting any case of domestic or sexual violence by calling its toll-free line – 08000 333 333.

(NAN)